Bands, DJs & music

Your guide to wedding bands, DJs and music. Find the perfects tunes for every moment of your wedding from entrance songs to the last-dance. Whether you hire a live band or have a family member DJ, we help you get everything in order to dance the night away!

All Wedding venues Photos & video Food & catering Florists & flowers Bands, DJs & music Cakes & desserts Bar & beverages

Venues & vendors

How to Choose Your Wedding DJ

Music makes the reception, so you need a wedding DJ that can keep the energy all the way up. Narrow down your search with our guide to choosing the perfect DJ for your big day.

Venues & vendors

300 Best Wedding Songs for Each Moment of your Wedding Day

Explore a curated collection of songs for every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, make sure each part of your special day is filled with music and emotion.

Back

1 2

Find even more wedding ideas, inspo, tips, and tricks

We’ve got wedding planning advice on everything from save the dates to wedding cakes.

\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n ","subtopicPage":{"articles":[{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj","title":"How to Choose Your Wedding DJ","excerpt":"Music makes the reception, so you need a wedding DJ that can keep the energy all the way up. Narrow down your search with our guide to choosing the perfect DJ for your big day.","author":"Jenn Sinrich","publishedAt":"2019-06-24T09:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6V8yIOmS3LBVMBJHp6gWhg/deca065a855a5f9c4618a8d6e1a5e44c/AntonDrummondPhotography_HeroImage_1080x720.jpg","altText":"indian couple dances to wedding dj"},"heroCredit":"Anton Drummond","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-photographers/anton-drummond-photography","body":"Wedding reception entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes, but a DJ is one of the more modern options available that has become an increasingly popular choice over live music. That said, not all DJs will be suitable for wedding receptions. And the ones that are might not be suitable for your wedding reception. So, let’s break down how to narrow down your wedding DJ options to one—plus, get into the top [questions you should be asking](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/questions-to-ask-wedding-dj). Consider this your [wedding DJ checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-dj-checklist). \n\n## Reasons to Hire a Wedding DJ\nTypically couples choose between DJs or live entertainment like a band. You can also forgo both options and [DJ your own wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-dj-your-own-wedding) (an ambitious choice!) or figure out some combination of the two. If you’re on the fence, here are some benefits of a wedding DJ.\n\n__- It’s cost effective.__ [Compared to a live band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-does-a-live-wedding-band-cost) (or other live entertainment), DJs typically boast lower rates. This isn’t always true, but generally speaking, DJs require less housekeeping costs. Bands require more man power and potentially more travel costs because of their equipment. \n\n__- Hear your favorite music—the way you remember it.__ Don’t get us wrong: We love a [wedding band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choose-wedding-band-or-dj). That said, if you chose Elton John’s “The Way You Look Tonight” as your [first dance song](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-first-dance-songs) because it conjures a specific romantic moment for you, it’s nice to know it will sound the same way as the time you fell in love with it. The same can be said when it comes to listening to any of your wedding songs post-celebration.\n\n__- DJs can read the crowd.__ All performers should have some ability to read the room, but DJs have the unique ability to be able to shift musical direction with just a few key mixing elements. Bands, on the other hand, will typically have to finish out a song even if the crowd doesn’t seem to enjoy it. Bands also tend to have a set lineup that they stick to for formal events.\n\n![Eli3Photos InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2eHdVJRJudGGcyodUU3FKJ/b8d78372d59b4795b4fe9d821d39b697/Eli3Photos_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Eli3 Photography\n\n## 30 Questions to Ask Wedding DJs and Bands\nAt this point, you’ve likely already booked your wedding venue, caterer, and perhaps officiant. In that case, we’re sure you’re well-versed in the process of researching and narrowing down your potential vendors to a few options.\n\nOnce you’ve chosen your top three DJ options, contact them to make sure they’re available on your wedding day first. If so, schedule a call, in-person meeting, or even FaceTime appointment to talk. These meetings are your opportunity to get all of the intel you need to choose your wedding DJ. Here is a list of questions you want to ask:\n\n### The Basics\nBefore diving into the details, it’s paramount that you start with the basics. These important questions will inform you of a DJ’s availability and experience, as well as give you an idea of their schedule.\n\n- __Are you available for my wedding date__? As with all wedding vendors, this should be your first question. Ensure that a DJ available for your wedding before taking the time to speak or meet with one-another.\n\n- __How long have you been DJing__? Right away, you want to get an idea of how much experience this vendor has. Make sure this potential DJ is seasoned and prepared to work professionally.\n\n- __How many weddings have you worked__? There’s a difference between DJing at a music venue and for a wedding reception. Inquire about how much wedding experience this DJ has under their belt.\n\n- __How many weddings do you perform at per weekend__? Do you perform at multiple events in one day? Get an idea of how busy (read: potentially overwhelmed or tired) this wedding reception DJ may be on your weeding day or weekend.\n\n- __Will you or someone on your team be the day-of DJ__? Some DJs run their own businesses featuring solely themselves. Other companies have a lineup of DJs available. Ask if the person you’re speaking with would be the one at your wedding and, if not, if you could at at a point get in contact with who will be.\n\n- __How do you get a shy crowd moving__? Not all crowds are quick to rush the dance floor. One major perk of hiring a DJ is that they know how to get (and keep) a party going. Ask how they handle a situation in which the crowd is slow to get started.\n\n- __Do you have references I can reach out to__? The biggest reassurance you can get about a wedding vendor will come from their past clients. Ask if they have references you can reach out to that will recommend them and speak to you about their work.\n\n### Music\nChances are you got a feel for this DJ’s music style via their website or social media. Even so, it’s important that you learn more about their catalogue and style so you aren’t met with any surprises.\n\n- __How would you describe your style?__ House, Top 40, country, classics—plenty of DJs specialize in a specific type of music. Make sure yours aligns with the kind of music you want played on your big day.\n\n- __How often do you update your music catalogue?__ If you’re looking for more current music, it’s crucial to know how often a DJ updates their music collection. You don’t want to run into a situation where you’re looking forward to hearing last month’s hit radio song, only to find out that your DJ’s music library isn’t that up-to-date.\n\n- __Do you use a predetermined set list?__ Many DJs will have a pre-made setlist they can play or that you can build off of.\n\n- __Can we make the playlist?__ Say you know your musical taste—and the taste of your guests—incredibly well. Ask if it’s possible that you and your partner curate a list of songs—as well as a do not play list.\n\n- __Do you have any samples of your work?__ If you can’t find samples on their website, ask if you can be sent some via email.\n\n- __How do you handle song requests?__ Odds are, at least a few of your guests will approach your DJ with song requests. Inquire about how they handle these, if they take them at all.\n\n- __Will you also act as emcee?__ From your wedding party’s entrance, to your father-daughter dance, to toasts, you may have a lot of announcement that need to be made throughout your reception. These are typically made by the DJ, but you’ll need to make sure this is the case.\n\n### Logistics\nThese details might not be as exciting to discuss at the music itself, but they’re equally—if not more—important to your wedding planning.\n\n- __How much equipment do you require?__ Be aware of the DJ equipment they’ll need/will bring on your wedding day to get an idea of the set-up.\n\n- __Would we need to provide any separate equipment?__ It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there will be a type of equipment that you need to provide, yourself. Ask if they’ll need a microphone, cables, or other tech equipment.\n\n- __How do you handle equipment malfunctions?__ Will you have backup equipment? Ideally, nothing will go wrong during your wedding celebration. However, sometimes things happen. Be aware of what this DJ will do if a piece of their equipment malfunctions mid-reception.\n\n- __Can you provide wireless mics for the wedding ceremony?__ It’s easier for everyone if you stick to one sound system throughout the day. If you don’t need to rent out a microphone from elsewhere, that’s a nice plus.\n\n- __Are you familiar with our reception space?__ Ask if they’ve worked at your reception location before. If not, they may need to show up earlier to figure out how to set-up.\n\n- __Do you plan to use lighting or special effects?__ Strobe lights, video screens, sparklers, projectors—many DJs have special effects set-ups that can be included in a music package.\n\n- __Do you handle set-up and break-down?__ Ensure that the DJ and/or their team will handle the setting up and breaking down of their equipment.\n\n- __What will you wear?__ Wedding themes and formalities varying greatly. For that reason, your DJ should wear something that won’t make them look out of place.\n\n- __If you’re unable to perform on the day of, do you have a backup plan?__ Most wedding vendors have a backup employee or contact they can reach out to in the event that they can’t make it to your wedding last-minute.\n\n- __Can you provide us with a full itinerary for the reception?__ If you have a wedding planner, chances are you’ll create an itinerary with them. If not, however, it may come down to you and your DJ.\n\n### Pricing\nThe bottom line is usually one of the biggest factors when it comes to deciding on wedding music. However, it isn’t as simple as asking what they charge. Discuss all potential fees and every option available to you.\n\n- __What are your rates?__ Do you charge by hours, packages, or both? Inquire about how this DJ charges their clients. They may set prices for different packages or change by the hours that they set-up and are playing music.\n\n- __Do you have packages available?__ What is included? Packages make it easy to see what all a DJ can offer you—and for what price. Ask for a detailed breakdown of each package available.\n\n- __Do you have payment plans?__ Some vendors will allow you to pay in installments, while others will require a down payment, then a final payment.\n\n- __Do you have an overtime fee?__ Often, couples will get to the end of their wedding reception and ask the venue if they can extend their hours. In this event, make sure you’re aware of your DJ’s overtime fees.\n\n- __Will there be additional fees?__ Transportation, parking, etc.? Get an outline of every item you can be potentially charged for or are expected to pay.\n\n- __What is your cancellation policy?__ In the event that you need to cancel or postpone your wedding, don’t get caught with surprise rules. Ask what cancellation, reschedule, and refund policies they have in place.\n\n- __Do you have the required insurance?__ Liability insurance is a must. Be sure that your DJ has it, plus any insurance that is required by your city or venue.\n\n- __When can we expect a quote and/or written contract?__ When you’ve discussed all of the above and are ready to sign on the dotted line, ask when you can expect to receive a full contract.\n\n# How to Choose Your Wedding DJ\n\n## Start your search early.\nWhile choosing your wedding DJ doesn’t have to be the very first thing on your [wedding checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist), it shouldn’t be one of the last either. Once you [choose your wedding venue](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-a-wedding-venue), make wedding entertainment your next focus. Like venues, sought-after DJs book up quickly. So, don’t hesitate to start your search, especially if your top choices are popular in your area. \n\n## Consider your style.\nLike we said, not all DJs are meant to be wedding DJs—it’s a broad title. Wedding DJs are specific experts in how receptions flow and how to choose music that suits many demographics. Be sure to immediately cross off any DJs without wedding-specific experience (unless you’re having an unconventional reception or if you’re asking a friend to DJ, of course).\n\nWedding DJ can still mean a lot of different things. So, it’s important to keep your style and wedding vision top of mind. If you’re more old school and a fan of music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, for example, pursue a DJ who specializes in music from those decades. If you’re more into rap or pop or other more modern genres, you want to find a DJ who’s well-versed on the top of the charts.\n\n## Ask around for recommendations.\nThe easiest way to narrow down any vendor search: word of mouth recommendations. Ask your family, friends, colleagues, whoever if they hired a DJ they loved. Even if they’re not engaged or married, they may have recently attended a wedding with a DJ that really wowed. \n\nOf course you can also always trust the Internet to help you start your search, too. We recommend starting with a vendor search from a reputable wedding source. We’re biased but Zola makes the [vendor search process](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) basically seamless. You can read reviews from real couples, find out what services each DJ specifically offers, and more. It’s an easy way to taper your search to at least a handful of options.\n\nAs you conduct your Internet search, pay special attention to any trends you see in reviews. For example, look out for any mentions of tardiness—you don’t want anything to hold up your reception once you’re ready to party. \n\n![PineappleSunrisePhotography InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/74IYZz9UxZh1n1HYmuGhKs/e89519c6c36dd3b07d6af70832f6f463/PineappleSunrisePhotography_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Pineapple Sunrise Photography\n\n## Get everything in writing.\nBefore you solidify your wedding DJ, be sure to get hammer out all of these details in writing. Be sure to include any notes on special requests, including certain song recommendations, exact start and end times, who will actually DJ day-of, etc.\n\nOnce you choose your DJ, you’ll likely be tasked with coming up with a list of must-hear songs, another list of absolutely-do-not-play songs, and a list of nice-to-hear-but-not-necessary songs. After that, your DJ will take it from there.\n\nJust like that, the search for your [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj) is on. Now that you’re prepared with the right information and know what to ask a wedding DJ, you’re ready to hire the vendor that’s going to help create the best wedding for you. However, if you do need some help with how to find a wedding DJ, start with our database of [bands, DJ, and musicians](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-bands-djs).","tag":"How-To ","widget1":{"marketingModule":{"tag":"EA_VendorMarketplace"}},"stickyCta":{"copy":"Find Vendors in Your Area","url":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/onboard?question=intro"},"updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.947Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"best-wedding-songs","title":"300 Best Wedding Songs for Each Moment of your Wedding Day","excerpt":"Explore a curated collection of songs for every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, make sure each part of your special day is filled with music and emotion.","publishedAt":"2022-05-25T22:34:03.556Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4Awof6509XGZFsc5K2GCUC/21fe8ba7b5d834a1a5812f74ceaaff16/best-wedding-songs.jpg","altText":"Couple dancing at wedding reception"},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/","body":"An epic event like your wedding day calls for an equally epic playlist—from the moment you walk down the aisle to when you and your guests fill the reception dance floor, your music sets the tone for the day’s events. But with countless classic hits, chart toppers, and love anthems to choose from, picking the best wedding songs can feel overwhelming. \n\nIf you’ve been to your fair share of weddings, you’re probably familiar with the number one wedding song—the romantic ballad *All of Me* by John Legend—along with some of these popular wedding songs: \n\nThinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran \nA Thousand Years — Christina Perri \nAt Last — Etta James \nMarry Me — Train \nCan’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley \n\nBut if you’re looking for a deeper dive into some musical inspiration, we’ve compiled the best wedding songs for every moment of the big day—from the ceremony and cocktail hour to your first dance and reception. We’ve also included the best wedding songs by genre to align with music tastes of all kinds! \n\n### Table of Contents\n\n__Wedding Songs by Activity__\n- Songs for the Bachelor Party\n- Songs to Get Ready To\n- Cocktail Hour Songs\n- Wedding Processional Songs\n- Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To \n- Wedding Ceremony Songs\n- Wedding Recessional Songs\n- Wedding Party Entrance Songs\n- Newlywed Entrance Songs\n- First Dance Songs\n- Parent Dance Songs\n- Reception Songs to Dance To\n\n__Wedding Songs by Genre__\n- Modern Wedding Songs\n- Country Wedding Songs\n- Christian Wedding Songs\n- R&B Wedding Songs\n- Classic Wedding Songs\n- Fun Wedding Songs\n- Indie Wedding Songs\n- Gospel Wedding Songs\n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Activity\nYour wedding day will include [a variety of different moments and activities](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/ultimate-wedding-weekend-timeline), each calling for its own type of music (ie. you wouldn't use the same tunes from your getting ready playlist for your wedding processional music!). Browse the list below for the best wedding songs for every moment of your big day, from walking down the aisle to the best reception songs to dance to. \n\n### Songs for the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party \nThis might be a pre-wedding activity, but an epic bash like your [bachelor or bachelorette party](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/joint-bachelor-bachelorette-party-games) calls for an equally epic playlist. Head straight to Zola’s [Ultimate Bach Party playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1) on Spotify to listen to our carefully curated picks, or dive into the following song ideas for some extra inspiration. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Ultimate Bach Party](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1)\n\n![bach-party-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4HfJhStnKrZtXA9VlDVMpF/197a75c34339b09892ccf5be57c3193b/bach-party-songs.jpg)\n\n1. First Class — Jack Harlow\n2. Ferrari — James Hype\n3. Work — Rihanna\n4. Sorry — Justin Bieber\n5. Me, Myself & I — G-Eazy\n6. Roses — The Chainsmokers\n7. Hands to Myself — Selena Gomez\n8. Fast Car — Jonas Blue\n9. Stay — Kygo\n10. My House — Flo Rida\n11. Bang My Head — David Guetta\n12. Sugar — Robin Shulz\n13. Lean On — Major Lazer\n14. I’M ON ONE — Drake\n15. All My Friends — Snakehips\n16. On My Mind — Ellie Goulding\n17. Where Are Ü Now — Jack Ü\n18. How Deep Is Your Love — Calvin Harris\n19. The Sound — The 1975\n20. Middle — DJ Snake\n21. Love Myself — Hailee Steinfeld\n22. Be Right There — Diplo\n23. Focus — Ariana Grande\n24. Desperado — Rihanna \n25. Waiting for Love — Avicii \n\n\n### Songs to Get Ready To \nThe morning of your wedding is filled with excitement and anticipation, which calls for the perfect playlist to help shake off any jitters and set the tone for the day ahead. This mix of upbeat hits and nostalgic love anthems spans all decades and genres, and is sure to keep spirits high all morning long! \n\n![getting-ready-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2N2ZiONzo0gZfLUVhpVjMv/298e4d7d08f5d09561ee0842fb966e02/getting-ready-songs.jpg)\n\n26. Marry You — Bruno Mars\n27. The Cure — Lady Gaga\n28. A Moment Like This — Leona Lewis\n29. Chapel of Love — The Dixie Cups\n30. Love On Top — Beyoncé\n31. Levitating — Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby\n32. It Wasn’t Me — Shaggy ft. Rik Rok\n33. Shut Up and Dance — Walk the Moon\n34. Love Story — Taylor Swift\n35. Run the World (Girls) — Beyoncé\n36. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! — ABBA\n37. These Words — Natasha Bedingfield \n38. All You Need Is Love — The Beatles\n39. We Found Love — Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris\n40. Oh, Pretty Woman — Roy Orbison \n41. You’ve Got the Love — Florence + The Machine\n42. Rather Be — Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne\n43. I Do — Colbie Caillat \n44. Respect — Aretha Franklin \n45. Baila Conmigo — Selena Gomez\n46. Love Yourself — Justin Bieber\n47. Ain’t No Other Man — Christina Aguilera \n48. Anywhere — Rita Ora\n49. I Say A Little Prayer — Aretha Franklin\n50. White Wedding — Billy Idol \n\n\n### Wedding Processional Songs\n\nThe [wedding processional](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-processional-order) marks the beginning of the ceremony, when your family members, wedding parties, and/or flower girls and ring bearers make their way down the aisle. If you’ll have background music playing as guests are arriving, you’ll want to clearly differentiate your processional music as a signal that the wedding is beginning. \n\nWhether you choose a traditional hymn or your favorite pop tune, your processional music is entirely up to you—browse Zola’s curated Spotify playlist or choose from our selection of soft instrumentals and upbeat, whimsical tunes below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Processional Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HHY2UH9yb6lZOu3TbstSW?si=9b42439ea4634558)\n\n51. Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) — Brooklyn Duo \n52. Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World — Israel Kamakawiwo'ole\n53. A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) — The Piano Guys\n54. A Day Without Rain — Enya\n55. Marry Me — United Guitar Players\n56. Feels Like Home — Edwina Hayes\n57. Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley) — Vitamin String Quartet \n58. A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman) — Taylor Davis\n59. XO (Beyoncé) — Midnite String Quartet \n60. Beyond — Leon Bridges\n61. Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles\n62. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n63. Sea of Love — Cat Power\n64. Largo (From “Xerxes”) — Handel\n65. Higher Love — James Vincent McMorrow\n66. Begin Again — Piano Tribute Players\n67. Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) — Vesislava \n68. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You — Trio Comodo\n69. All I Want Is You (U2) — Bridesmaids Quartet \n70. Light My Fire — Threeds\n71. First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes\n72. Collide — Tiana Major9\n73. We Could Happen — AJ Rafael\n74. Hoppípolla — Sigur Rós\n75. This Feeling — Alabama Shakes\n\n\n### Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To\nThe song you walk down the aisle to sets the tone for your special day, and is an opportunity to choose something personal and meaningful to both you and your partner. While you might choose to keep your processional music the same for walking down the aisle, many couples prefer to select a different tune for the aisle moment. Check out our collection of romantic and uplifting songs that are sure to tug on heartstrings and make this moment a special one. \n\n![walk-down-aisle-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4b84od7IWvJapb34xtYBBd/219f95c080c4094a2ca21d9393d42a77/walk-down-aisle-songs.jpg)\n\n76. Bridal Chorus — Richard Wagner\n77. All of Me (John Legend) — Daniel Jang\n78. Hallelujah — Vitamin String Quartet \n79. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Haley Reinhart\n80. Wedding March — Mendelssohn \n81. Despacito (Luis Fonsi) — Brooklyn Duo \n82. A Sky Full of Stars — The Piano Guys\n83. Amazing Grace — Bridesmaids Quartet \n84. Come Away With Me — Vitamin String Quartet \n85. Forever — Josh Vietti \n\n \n### Wedding Ceremony Songs\nThere are countless opportunities to set the mood with music on your wedding day, and the [wedding ceremony](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-ceremony-programs) itself is one of them! While some couples prefer to cut the music once they’re joined together at the altar, some opt to play soft instrumental music during the ceremony to add more depth to the moment. Find some of our favorite instrumental tunes for your ceremony below. \n\n![wedding-ceremony-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7b4hCQGO7uVKySNDbx7cUr/330dd75bbf9250fec414d06a32ba71a4/wedding-ceremony-songs.jpg)\n\n86. The Secret Wedding (From “Braveheart”) — David Arkenstone ft. Kathleen Fisher\n87. Hampshire — Adrian Johnston\n88. Wedding — Frederic Chopin \n89. Sicilienne — Maria Theresia von Paradis\n90. The Meeting — John Powell\n91. Attraversiamo — Dario Marianelli\n92. Your Song — United Guitar Players \n93. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You — United Guitar Players\n94. Rhythm of Love — Bridesmaids Quartet \n95. And I Love Her — George Martin \n\n\n### Wedding Recessional Songs\nYour wedding recessional—otherwise known as your wedding exit—is the moment when you and your partner walk back down the aisle as newlyweds, followed by the wedding party and guests. Your recessional song selection should reflect the joy and excitement of what just took place and set the tone for the reception to follow. Browse our list of celebratory tunes to make your grand exit with! \n\n![wedding-reccesional-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3EKUBK1sFplsKanyL3LOwh/3ce2dc11b0c83f9b6db5f5f3d3f794aa/wedding-reccesional-songs.jpg)\n\n96. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) — Stevie Wonder\n97. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell\n98. Accidentally In Love — Counting Crows\n99. For Once in My Life — Stevie Wonder\n100. Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen\n101. Wedding Day — Bee Gees\n102. My Sweet Lord — George Harrison \n103. Adore You — Harry Styles\n104. Happy — Pharell Williams\n105. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n106. Outro — M83\n107. We Go Together — John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (Greece) \n108. Walking On a Dream — Empire of the Sun\n109. Beautiful Day — U2\n110. Never Going Back Again — Fleetwood Mac\n\n\n### Cocktail Hour Songs\nIf you’re hosting a cocktail hour—the roughly hour-long break between the ceremony and the reception—a feel-good playlist that primes your guests for the party to come is a must. Keep your song choices light and uplifting for guests to enjoy while they mingle, and save the high-energy dance tunes until you hit the dance floor. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Cocktail Hour Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aNDsmjTPra2JxdebNW5Co)\n\n111. Here Comes the Sun — Nina Simone \n112. Home — Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros\n113. Stubborn Love — The Lumineers\n114. Easy Living — Billie Holiday\n115. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat\n116. Sway — Michael Bublé\n117. Rhythm of Love — Plain White T’s\n118. Fever — Peggy Lee\n119. I Feel It Coming — The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk\n120. Let’s Fall In Love — Diana Krall\n121. At Last — Etta James\n122. The Way You Look Tonight — Tony Bennett\n123. Love Like This — Natasha Bedingfield \n124. Red Dirt Road — Brooks & Dunn\n125. Misty — Johnny Mathis\n\n\n### Wedding Party Entrance Songs\nYour guests will be looking forward to the reception once the ceremony and cocktail hour conclude, and what better way to kick things off than with a few epic entrance songs? Your wedding party entrance song calls for high-energy, celebratory tunes—here are some of our favorites.\n\n126. Can’t Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake\n127. Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand \n128. I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys\n129. Hey Ya! — OutKast\n130. I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed Peas\n131. Firework — Katy Perry\n132. Raise Your Glass — P!nk\n133. Sugar — Maroon 5\n134. Just Dance — Lady Gaga\n135. Dynamite — Tai Cruz\n\n\n### Newlywed Entrance Songs\nA moment like your first official appearance as newlyweds calls for the perfect entrance song. Whether you go for something loud and goofy or romantic and special, the following songs are guaranteed to make your reception kickoff memorable. \n\n136. Love Me Like You Do — Ellie Goulding\n137. Rollercoaster — Bleachers\n138. SexyBack — Justin Timberlake\n139. Everything Is Awesome — Tegan and Sara\n140. Starving — Hailee Steinfeld \n141. Let’s Get It Started — The Black Eyed Peas\n142. 24K Magic — Bruno Mars\n143. On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons\n144. Bring Em Out — T.I. ft Swizz Beatz\n145. Seeing Stars — Børns\n\n\n### First Dance Songs\nYou might be dancing in front of a crowd, but your first dance song should be one that’s personal to you and your partner. Keep reading for more of our favorite picks. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [First Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0EUEA6w29lAdpY0RDztFPV)\n\n![first-dance-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/21xYlhKWr4em2SPrld4q0Z/9c3cd01ddcb4d7899dd888ad80c2bc52/first-dance-songs.jpg)\n\n146. Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran\n147. You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne\n148. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley\n149. Sweetest Devotion — Adele\n150. I Will — The Beatles \n151. It Had to be You — Dooley Wilson \n152. Sparks — Coldplay\n153. Stay In My Corner — The Arcs\n154. The Best Is Yet to Come — Frank Sinatra \n155. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n\n\n### Parent Dance Songs\n[Parent dances](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/father-daughter-dance-songs) are an incredibly touching moment of the wedding day, but choosing the right song can be tough. It helps to reflect on your relationship with the parent you’ll be dancing with—what matters most is choosing a song that represents the bond you share. Browse our picks for sweet and sentimental songs below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Parent Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LvtOMWSgomb0vfKYtUtVr)\n\n156. What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong\n157. Your Song — Elton John\n158. Gracie — Ben Folds\n159. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison\n160. Isn’t She Lovely — Stevie Wonder\n161. It’s For My Dad — Nancy Sinatra\n162. My Wish — Rascal Flatts\n163. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n164. A Song For Mama — Boyz II Men\n165. I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack\n\n\n### Reception Songs to Dance To\nYour wedding reception playlist requires a balance of what you and your partner love and what your guests will enjoy, too. Regardless of what you choose, one thing’s for sure—they should make you want to dance! Our [Songs for the Dance Floor playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1) features songs that Zola couples have told us makes them want to get down, and the list below offers some extra inspiration.\n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Songs for the Dance Floor](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1)\n\n![reception-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6gP72dzRr8etOfvneB8SBZ/80d700f727d59057d982ae7fd659721a/reception-songs.jpg)\n\n166. I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston\n167. Lose Control — Missy Elliot\n168. Suavemente — Elvis Crespo\n169. On the Floor — Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull\n170. My Girl — The Temptations \n171. Play That Funky Music — Wild Cherry\n172. This Is What You Came For — Rhianna ft. Calvin Harris\n173. Havana — Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug\n174. Billie Jean — Michael Jackson \n175. Boogie Shoes — KC & The Sunshine Band\n176. Forever — Chris Brown\n177. Footloose — Kenny Loggins\n178. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars\n179. Shake It Off — Taylor Swift\n180. Yeah! — Usher \n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Genre\nThe best songs for your wedding day are those that represent your relationship with your partner and are close to both of your hearts. Instead of confining yourself to tradition or what you think you “should” include, curate your playlist based on your unique tastes. No matter what type of music you fancy, use our list of the best wedding songs by genre to tailor your playlist to what you and your partner love most. \n\n\n### Modern Wedding Songs\n181. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n182. Sunflower — Post Malone\n183. Lover — Taylor Swift\n184. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n185. Sweet Creature — Harry Styles\n186. Let’s Shut Up & Dance — Jason Derulo\n187. Boom Clap — Charli XCX\n188. Born To Be Yours — Imagine Dragons ft. Kygo\n189. Can’t Feel My Face — The Weeknd\n190. One Kiss — Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa\n191. A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay\n192. Heatstroke — Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande\n193. Coloring Outside the Lines — MisterWives\n194. 10,000 Hours — Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber\n195. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat \n\n\n### Country Wedding Songs\n196. Million Miles — Kody West\n197. Pretty Heart — Parker McCollum\n198. That’s the Way Love Goes — Merle Haggard\n199. Looking for Love — Johnny Lee\n200. Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks\n201. Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker\n202. Honey Bee — Blake Shelton\n203. Tennessee Whiskey — Chris Stapleton\n204. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) — Luke Bryan \n205. Better Together — Luke Combs\n206. Rhinestone Cowboy — Glen Campbell \n207. The Chair — George Strait \n208. Don’t Take Her She’s All I Got — Tracy Byrd\n209. You Look So Good in Love — Merle Haggard\n210. She Won’t Be Lonely Long — Clay Walker\n\n\n### Christian Wedding Songs\n211. God Gave Me You — Dave Barnes\n212. Always Only You — Josh Wilson\n213. Commitment — Sanctus Real\n214. You Say — Lauren Daigle \n215. When I Say I Do — Matthew West\n216. Hold Me — Jamie Grace ft. TobyMac\n217. Till I Found You — Phil Wickham \n218. You Love Me Anyway — Sidewalk Prophets\n219. Butterfly Kisses — Bob Carlisle\n220. Hundred More Years — Francesca Battistelli\n221. Good Day for Marrying You — Dave Barnes\n222. The Heart — NEEDTOBREATHE\n223. The King is Coming — Newsboys\n224. Made to Love — TobyMac\n225. I Promise (Wedding Song) — CeCe Winans\n\n\n### R&B/Soul Wedding Songs\n226. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You — Lauryn Hill\n227. Let’s Get married — Jagged Edge\n228. Sweet Love — Anita Baker\n229. I Can’t Do Without You — George Jackson\n230. If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys\n231. Make You Feel My Love — Adele\n232. Ain’t Nobody — Chaka Khan, Rufus\n233. Let’s Stay Together — Al Green\n234. That’s How Strong My Love Is — Otis Redding\n235. I Believe in You and Me — Whitney Houston\n236. Lovely Day — Bill Withers\n237. Rich Girl — Lake Street Dive\n238. You Sexy Thing — Hot Chocolate\n239. Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin’ — Brenton Wood\n240. Just the Two of Us — Grover Washington, Jr. ft. Bill Withers \n\n\n### Classic Wedding Songs\n241. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n242. Stayin’ Alive — Bee Gees\n243. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey\n244. Boogie Nights — Heatwave\n245. Love Train — The O’Jays\n246. Love Shack — The B-52’s\n247. September — Earth, Wind & Fire\n248. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond\n249. I Want You Back — Jackson 5\n250. We Are Family — Sister Sledge\n251. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole\n252. Better Together — Jack Johnson\n253. Happy — Pharrell Williams\n254. Superstition — Stevie Wonder\n255. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n\n\n### Fun Wedding Songs\n256. Party Rock Anthem — LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett\n257. Chained to the Rhythm — Katy Perry\n258. Groove Is in the Heart — Deee-Lite \n259. Moves Like Jagger — Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera \n260. Good Feeling — Flo Rida\n261. Crazy — Gnarles Barkley\n262. We Are Young — Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe\n263. Get Lucky — Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams \n264. Last Friday Night — Katy Perry \n265. Doo Wop (That Thing) — Lauryn Hill\n266. Raspberry Beret — Prince\n267. I Feel For You — Chaka Khan \n268. You Should Be Dancing (Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) — Bee Gees\n269. Got to Get You Into My Life — Earth, Wind & Fire\n270. Theme From Shaft (Remastered) — Isaac Hayes\n\n\n### Indie Wedding Songs\n271. Fade Into You — Mazzy Star\n272. Sweetest Thing on This Side of Heaven — Papa Bear & His Cubs\n273. In My Baby’s Arms — The California Honeydrops\n274. Coming Home — Leon Bridges\n275. Still Together — Mac DeMarco\n276. Baby — Ariel Pink\n277. My Kind of Woman — Mac DeMarco\n278. Feels Like Heaven — Ariel Pink\n279. Best to You — Blood Orange\n280. Dreams — The Cranberries\n281. Skinny Love — Bon Iver \n282. Strawberry Swing — Frank Ocean\n283. Still Into You — Paramore\n284. 1901 — Phoenix \n285. Electric Feel — MGMT\n\n\n### Rock Wedding Songs\n286. Fell in Love With a Girl — The White Stripes\n287. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) — Beastie Boys\n288. Howlin’ For You — The Black Keys\n289. With or Without You — U2\n290. Our Love — Gary Clark Jr. \n291. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses\n292. Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town — Talking Heads\n293. Nothing Else Matters — Metallica \n294. Start Me Up — Rolling Stones\n295. You Shook Me All Night Long — AC/DC\n296. Should I Stay Or Should I Go — The Clash\n297. Can’t Stop — Red Hot Chili Peppers\n298. Jump — Van Halen\n299. Bitch, I Love You — Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears \n300. Dancing in the Dark — Bruce Springsteen\n\nCurating the perfect wedding playlist might feel daunting, but try to have fun with it! Focus on filling your playlist with songs that represent your unique love story and relationship. Now that you’ve got 300 songs to work with, we’re confident you’ll find something you love. ","tag":"Music + Entertainment","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.234Z"}],"pagination":{"currentPage":2,"total":14},"subtopic":{"featuredArticles":[{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"wedding-party-entrance-songs","title":"188 Best Wedding Party Entrance Songs to Get the Party Started","excerpt":"Feel on top of the world with our list of wedding party entrance songs. Create an unforgettable wedding entrance soundtrack leading up to your big moment.","publishedAt":"2024-11-08T12:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2TgB1awivvyJuy3OQcbN2j/a44ab25849327dd808935b2beb5e29d1/Wedding_Party_Entrance_Songs_Groomsmen.jpg","altText":"Newlyweds dancing inside of their wedding reception venue with bride wearing flower crown"},"heroCredit":"Mixlux","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/eventsmith-boston","tldr":"__Inside this article:__ \n- Is there a wrong way to do a grand entrance?\n- Best wedding party songs using trends and hits\n- Upbeat wedding entrance songs\n- Rock wedding walk-out songs\n- Rap and hip-hop wedding party entrance songs\n- Country wedding party songs\n- Fun wedding introduction songs\n- Unique wedding reception entrance songs\n- Wedding entrance songs for parents\n- Favorite wedding party entrance songs to get the crowd pumped\n- Wedding party entrance songs FAQ\n","body":"__TLDR:__\n- Choosing the right song can set the tone for your wedding reception and encourage everyone from your wedding party to parents display their personality.\n- Every genre from country or hip-hop to unique and trendy can be appropriate to announce your attendants and others at the reception.\n- Choose songs that reflect your style and feel free to use different songs for each group, person, or couple entering.\n\n## Let's get this (wedding) party started!\n\n[Planning your wedding reception](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-reception-timeline) is one of the more fun parts of wedding prep—it’s a joyful time of kicking off your [newlywed](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/newlywed-game-questions) status and celebrating with your nearest and dearest. The music you choose for your reception plays a huge part in setting the tone for the evening, especially when it comes to introducing your attendants. That’s just one reason wedding party entrance songs are so important to your big day. \n\nIf you’re trying to choose the perfect song to play as you announce your wedding party into the reception room, we’ve got you covered, and so do our experts. Whether you’re looking for fun songs to shine the spotlight on your wedding party or the perfect tune to play during your first entrance as newlyweds, our list of best wedding entrance songs spans all genres. \n\nHowever, there are other occasions when [these tunes](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-recessional-songs) would be a great fit. From grand entrance songs to [wedding processional songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-processional-order), this list contains fabulous music to include throughout your special day. Need more songs to round out your wedding playlists? Head to our list of [300+ best wedding songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/best-wedding-songs) for each moment of the day.\n\n![country-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/uIFmAIH5ESr0xHOTwuk3B/b53bbeee01225030bd8eac6844c8d312/country-songs.jpg)\n\n## Ask the expert: Is there a wrong way to do a grand entrance? \nBefore we get started, we asked Wes Echols, co-owner of [Ace Wedding DJs](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/ace-wedding-djs), to offer expert advice to help Zola's couples. \"I wouldn't say there is a wrong way to do a grand entrance but there is certainly a worst way to do it,\" he says. Often, he is faced with receiving a list of songs for each entering duo, and while couples have their ideas, the result can be chaos. \n\n\"We know that couples mean well and want their closest friends to be able to choose songs that reflect the personalities of each pairing,\" says Echols. \"However, in effect, this takes a grand entrance which is typically quick, climatic, and high energy and turns it into a long, awkward, anticlimactic, and confusing slurry of names, dead air, and very short snippets of the names and songs.\"\n\nThe result? Often times the excitement wanes and can cause confusion, especially if the couple or DJ doesn't preset the songs. \"The DJ must cue the song, get it to the right timestamp, fade up the song, announce the pairing, fade down the song, cue the next song, get it to the right spot and so on, all while making sure to get names and pronunciations correct,\" adds Echols, while also citing that doing this creates a nearly impossible task.\n\nInstead of causing stress for yourselves or your DJ, Echols recommends working with your DJ or enlisting a music-production-savvy friend to premake a mashup for the wedding day. Another option is to have one song for the wedding party, another for parents and grandparents, and a final song for the newlyweds. \n\n![Ace Wedding DJs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7z2kOcxs7J6bOdtZjpEy6Y/f0ead38f202a3f3f39a52afc5981424f/Ace_Wedding_DJs.jpg) Photo: [Ace Wedding DJs](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/ace-wedding-djs)\n\nNow, on to our list...\n\n## Best wedding party songs using trends and hits \n\nYour wedding party has stood by your side from the moment you got engaged, so choosing the perfect songs for entering the reception is a must! Here are our picks of fail-proof reception entrance songs to get the party started.\n\n1. Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars\n2. Can’t Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake\n3. Sugar — Maroon 5\n4. Dynamite — Taio Cruz\n5. 24K Magic — Bruno Mars\n6. Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) — Andy Grammer\n7. About Damn Time — Lizzo\n8. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) — Elton John, Dua Lipa\n9. STAY — The Kid LAROI\n10. Watermelon Sugar — Harry Styles\n11. Where Are You Now — Lost Frequencies, Calum Scott\n12. Woman — Doja Cat\n13. INDUSTRY BABY — Lil Nas X\n14. As It Was — Harry Styles\n15. Good 4 U — Olivia Rodrigo\n16. My House — Flo Rida\n17. Happy — Pharrell Williams\n18. Where Are Ü Now (ft. Justin Bieber) — Jack Ü\n19. Shut Up and Dance — Walk the Moon\n20. This Is What You Came For (ft. Rihanna) — Calvin Harris\n21. Mess is Mine - Vance Joy\n22. I Choose You - Forest Blakk\n23. You’re Still the One (Remastered)- Shania Twain\n\n*Zola Favorite: Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, released 2016* We here at Zola love this catchy tune, as do many couples. Not only is it fun, but it can set the tone and let folks dance and let loose as they enter your wedding reception.\n\n## Upbeat wedding entrance songs \n\nSearching for bridal party entrance songs that can get everyone on their feet cheering? This list of the best walk out songs with a catchy beat will help get the reception flowing and set an uplifting tone. \n\n24. Got My Mind Set on You — George Harrison\n25. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell\n26. My Type — Saint Motel\n27. Kids — MGMT\n28. Accidentally in Love — Counting Crows\n29. Love Me Like You Do — Ellie Goulding\n30. All You Need Is Love — The Beatles\n31. Beautiful Day — U2\n32. Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby — Barry White\n33. Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen\n34. For Once in My Life — Stevie Wonder\n35. How Sweet It Is — Michael Bublé\n36. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) — Stevie Wonder\n37. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole\n38. Walking on Sunshine — Katrina and the Waves\n39. You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne\n40. You Make My Dreams (Come True) — Hall & Oates\n41. We Found Love — Rihanna\n42. Best Day of My Life — American Authors\n43. A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay\n44. Candy - Paolo Nutini\n45. Believe - Cher\n\n*Zola Favorite: Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, released 1979* Not only is Queen a beloved band for their classical tunes, but the experts here at Zola know this song will be familiar to all. From grandparents to the younger set, it's easily recognizable and one of the most fun wedding party entrance songs.\n\n## Rock wedding walk-out songs \n\nThe rock genre definitely qualifies if you’re looking for badass entrance songs. The best part is that many of these walkout songs are familiar to everyone, from your grandparents to your nieces and nephews. They’re hits for a reason, which is why they’re all popular wedding party introduction songs.\n\n46. Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand\n47. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys\n48. On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons\n49. Back in Black — AC/DC\n50. Bad To The Bone — George Thorogood and the Destroyers\n51. Enter Sandman — Metallica\n52. Eye of the Tiger — Survivor\n53. Howlin’ For You — The Black Keys\n54. I Got You (I Feel Good) — James Brown and the Famous Flames\n55. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses\n56. Thunderstruck — AC/DC\n57. Walk This Way — Aerosmith\n58. We Will Rock You — Queen\n59. All My Friends — LCD Soundsystem\n60. I Believe in a Thing Called Love — The Darkness\n61. No One Like You — Scorpions\n62. Welcome to the Jungle — Guns N’ Roses\n63. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing — Aerosmith\n64. Love Will Keep Us Alive — The Eagles\n\n*Zola Favorite: On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons, released 2012* If there's any day you'll feel great about, you should feel on top of the world during your big moment. Plus, our Zola experts think that this song is popular for a reason—the catchy tune gets everyone's attention!\n\n## Rap and hip-hop wedding party entrance songs \n\nIf you crave a totally party-ish vibe, then ponder these hip-hop and rap wedding reception entrance songs. From classic favorites to newer staples, just imagine your attendants rocking out to these wedding party intro songs. How fun! \n\n65. I Gotta Feeling — Black Eyed Peas\n66. Who’s That Chick? (ft. Rihanna) — David Guetta\n67. All I Do Is Win (ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross) — DJ Khaled\n68. Bring Em Out — T.I.\n69. Let’s Get It Started — Black Eyed Peas\n70. All of the Lights (ft. Rihanna) — Kanye West\n71. Big Pimpin’/Papercut — Jay-Z, Linkin Park\n72. Don’t Stop the Party — Pitbull\n73. Jump Around — House of Pain\n74. Mo Money Mo Problems — The Notorious B.I.G.\n75. Sexy and I Know It — LMFAO\n76. Timber (ft. Kesha) — Pitbull\n77. Turn Down for What — DJ Snake, Lil Jon\n78. U Can't Touch This — MC Hammer\n79. Yeah! — Usher\n80. Paper Planes — M.I.A.\n81. Touch the Sky (ft. Lupe Fiasco) — Kanye West\n82. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (ft. Pitbull) — Usher\n83. Without You (ft. Usher) — David Guetta\n84. Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble — PJ & Duncan\n\n*Zola Favorite: Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO, 2011* Looking for a tongue-in-cheek song that will make everyone smile? Our Zola experts think this popular tune will do the trick. Imagine groomsmen or a fun set of grandparents making their wedding entrance to it.\n\n![Bride and Groom Wedding Entrance via MikeMusic in NYC](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5ya7BxPqzal6TV6XwGYRMi/034568bded5daca57df3ffc03d9d6f70/Bride_and_Groom_Wedding_Entrance_via_MikeMusic_in_NYC.jpg)\nPhoto via [MikeMusic](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/mikemusic)\n\n## Country wedding party songs \n\nWant a little twang in your step? Then take a look at these country wedding party entrance songs. They’ll have everyone clapping and stomping their feet as your attendants come inside.\n\n85. Me and My Gang — Rascal Flatts\n86. S.O.B. — Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats\n87. Party People — Florida Georgia Line\n88. Love Story — Taylor Swift\n89. Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker\n90. You Can’t Stop Me (ft. Thomas Rhett) — Brett Eldredge\n91. Here for the Party — Gretchen Wilson\n92. Setting the World on Fire — Kenny Chesney\n93. Love Bug — George Strait\n94. Fancy Like — Walker Hayes\n95. Lil Bit — Nelly, Florida Georgia Line\n96. Beers and Sunshine — Darius Rucker\n97. She’s With Me — High Valley\n98. Head Over Boots — Jon Pardi\n99. My Kinda Party — Jason Aldean\n100. Ain’t Goin’ Down (Til the Sun Comes Up) — Garth Brooks\n101. Good Times Roll — Jimmie Allen, Nelly\n102. Chasing Down a Good Time — Randy Houser\n103. Life Is a Highway — Rascal Flatts\n104. Texas Hold ‘Em - Beyoncé\n105. Ok Cowboy - Catie Offerman\n\n*Zola Favorite: Lil Bit by Nelly, Florida Georgia Line, released 2021* Sometimes it's hard to have a song that will make everyone happy. However, Zola experts say this one will satisfy both country and hip-hop fans. What a win-win. \n\n## Fun wedding introduction songs \n\nStart off your wedding reception on a jovial note with some of the happiest tunes around. These bridal party entrance songs are sure to have everyone smiling and welcoming your wedding party. You can even use these as [funny wedding bouquet toss songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/15-funny-bouquet-toss-songs)—the sky’s the limit!\n\n106. Hey Ya! — OutKast\n107. Firework — Katy Perry\n108. Raise Your Glass — Pink\n109. Just Dance — Lady Gaga\n110. Forever — Chris Brown\n111. Crazy in Love (ft. Jay-Z) — Beyonce\n112. I Would Die 4 U — Prince\n113. Love Shack — The B-52’s\n114. You Can’t Stop the Beat — Elijah Kelley, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes\n115. Hung Up — Madonna\n116. I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor\n117. Let’s Groove — Earth, Wind & Fire\n118. Whoomp! (There It Is) — Tag Team\n119. SexyBack (ft. Timbaland) — Justin Timberlake\n120. Another One Bites the Dust — Queen\n121. Beat It — Michael Jackson\n122. Bust a Move — Young MC\n123. Can’t Hold Us (ft. Ray Dalton) — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis\n124. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) — Backstreet Boys\n125. Everytime We Touch — Cascada\n126. Feel So Close — Calvin Harris\n127. Feel This Moment — Pitbull\n128. Get Lucky — Daft Punk\n129. Glad You Came — The Wanted\n130. Good Feeling — Flo Rida\n\n*Zola Favorite: Raise Your Glass by Pink, released 2010* We here at Zola think this song is perfect for anyone who has overcome adversity. It's also a great wedding reception entrance song for bridesmaids as no one does power anthems better than Pink, right?\n\n## Unique wedding reception entrance songs \n\nBreak from the norm and choose something unique for you and your attendants to enter the reception. These wedding party songs are unexpected yet appropriate to start your post-wedding celebration. \n\n131. Dance With Me Tonight — Olly Murs\n132. Dog Days Are Over — Florence + the Machine\n133. Electric Feel — MGMT\n134. Good Life — Kanye West\n135. I’m Coming Out — Diana Ross\n136. Good Vibrations — The Beach Boys\n137. Space Jam — Quad City DJ’s\n138. Take On Me — A-ha\n139. What I Like About You — The Romantics\n140. Hell Yes — Beck\n141. Sweet Disposition — The Temper Trap\n142. Could You Be Loved — Bob Marley and the Wailers\n143. Get the Party Started — Pink\n144. Higher Love — Kygo, Whitney Houston\n145. Seeing Stars — Børns\n\n*Zola Favorite: I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, 1980* What better song to come out for a wedding reception? Although Zola experts agree this tune is also fun for same-sex couples or anyone who wants a strong entrance.\n\n## Wedding entrance songs for parents \n\nWhile your mind may be on groomsmen and bridesmaid entrance songs, don’t forget about mom and dad! If you want them to enter the reception in style, select one of the wedding party songs below. \n\n146. This Is How We Do It — Montell Jordan \n147. We Are Family — Sister Sledge\n148. You’ve Got the Love — Florence + the Machine\n149. Celebration — Kool & the Gang\n150. Raise Your Glass — Pink\n151. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond\n152. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey\n153. Born To Be Wild — Steppenwolf\n154. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough — Michael Jackson\n155. Walk This Way — Aerosmith\n156. Jump — Van Halen\n157. Respect — Aretha Franklin\n158. It Takes Two — Rob Base\n159. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison\n\n*Zola Favorite: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, released 1969* We here at Team Zola enjoy any songs that bring generations together. Not only does Sweet Caroline get everyone on the dance floor, but it's perfect to grab attention during the wedding party entrance.\n\n## Favorite songs to get the crowd pumped \n\nWhat's better than hearing from newlyweds who have already had their wedding receptions or nearlyweds who are getting ready to celebrate? That's what we here at Zola thought, too. So, in September of 2024, Zola polled 4000 nearlywed couples and 1,500 recently married Zola couples to find out some tried-and-true favorite wedding party entrance songs. You may see some repeats on here, but we wanted you to know that these have the seal of approval from real life Zola couples.\n\nFavorites that nearlyweds are planning to use as their song to enter:\n\n160. Kiss Me — Sixpence None the Richer\n161. Vermilion — Slipknot \n162. Fantasy — Mariah Carey\n163. These Words — Natasha Beddingfield ft. Badger (remix) \n164. Pump it Up — Endor \n165. Hot to Go — Chappell Roan\n166. Narco — Timmy Trumpet\n167. Love Tonight — (DJ Baur Remix)\n168. Wifey — Next\n169. Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder\n170. September — Earth, Wind, Fire (for September brides!!)\n171. Kickstart my Heart — Motley Crew\n\nSongs that Zola's newlyweds used as their wedding entrance song:\n\n172. Forever - Chris Brown\n173. Crazy in Love - Beyoncé (and Jay Z)\n174. Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder\n175. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole\n176. September - Earth, Wind & Fire\n177. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates\n178. At Last - Etta James\n179. Levels - Avicii\n180. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - ABBA\n181. Public Service Announcement - Jay Z\n\nAnd here are a few favorites with a bit extra: A reason why it was a hit (pun intended!)\n\n182. Waterloo — Abba \"We went to see Mamma Mia on Broadway for one of our first dates. Using 'Waterloo' as our processional song is a fun, upbeat ode to our journey to the altar.\" Lauren from Amarillo, Texas\n183. You Make My Dreams Come True — Hall & Oates \"It’s such a light, fun song that appeals to both young and older listeners. And of course, walking down the aisle with your partner is a DREAM come true!!\" Madi from Indianapolis, Indiana\n184. Feel So Close — Calvin Harris \"This is such a nostalgic vibe. It takes you right back to feeling young and carefree, which makes it perfect for a wedding entrance. The way the beat builds up is just epic, giving that rush of excitement as you walk out. It’s got that upbeat energy that makes you feel alive and ready to celebrate the moment with everyone.\" Kathleen from Lyndhurst, NJ\n185. Treasure — Bruno Mars \"We’re using it as our entrance song, and it has such a good beat and rhythm that anyone would want to dance to or even sing to!\" Christina N, Long Island City, New York\n186. Celebration — KC &The Sunshine Band \"The wedding party, cocktail girl, and our parents walked down the aisle to 'Celebration' by Kool & The Gang. They all danced down the aisle which made for some fun action photos.\" Miranda from Long Beach, California\n187. Get Down Tonight — KC &The Sunshine Band \"For the grand entrance to our reception, our wedding party entered to 'Get Down Tonight' by KC & The Sunshine Band. They walked in dancing getting the energy up for our guests.\" Miranda from Long Beach, California\n\nAnd for one last check-in our DJ expert recounts his most recent favorite wedding party entrance song moment. \"The Groom is big into dirt biking and motocross and the best man wanted to incorporate this into the entrance,\" recalls Echols. \"The best man, Parker, hired a motocross PA announcer on Cameo to record their voice announcing the bridal party. The bride and groom chose the bridal party song (Kickstart my Heart - Motley Crue) and the bride and groom song (Family Affair - Mary J. Blige—which makes our 188th suggestion!). I took the vocal recording and edited a mix to combine the Cameo and songs into a .wav file.\" That sounds so creative, and what a fun surprise for the groom! \n\n## Wedding party entrance songs FAQ \n\n- __How do I choose a reception entrance song?__ Find one that suits your style and speaks to you as a couple. And use our list, of course! Everything from Set the Feeling by Justin Timberlake to Love Shack by The B-52's can work.\n- __What are good entrance songs for a wedding?__ The list above is a jumping-off point, but also use one that sets the tone you want to convey at your wedding reception. Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon) is popular as are classics by Kenny Loggins and Michael Jackson.\n- __How long should a wedding party entrance song be?__ The song should cover the amount of time necessary to announce your wedding party. Plus, don’t feel like you have to play the entire song. For example, using Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen may get a little lengthy for a couple, but could be an appropriate length for a wedding party entrance.\n- __How many songs do you need for a wedding entrance?__ That depends. Some couples choose to have a different song for each bridal party member, but that’s a lot of ground to cover. To make it simple, choose two—one for your attendants and a separate one to announce you as a newly married couple. Add in a third if you’re including parents and grandparents in the mix. Songs like Walking on Sunshine or One Kiss (by Calvin Harris) can leave everyone feeling good and ready to get the party started on the dance floor.\n- __What do wedding vendors think is the best song to get everyone moving?__ In a September 2024 survey of over 1,300 wedding vendors, we asked their top tune pick for the dance floor—which of course, you can use as an entrance song—they said, \"The #1 wedding song that will get all of us - couples and vendors alike - on the dance floor is I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston.\"\n\nFeel on top of the world as your dreams come true on your wedding day. These wedding party entrance songs can set the mood and leave everyone feeling good as you lead up to your big moment. Still craving wedding advice and [checklists](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist) beyond bridal party entrance songs? From [wedding party processional songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-processional-songs) to general wedding ceremony songs, Zola has you covered. Of course, your [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-dj-checklist) or band can also help with your selections, and you can find vetted, local-to-you [music services on Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs), too. ","updatedAt":"2024-11-08T17:25:56.620Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"best-wedding-songs","title":"300 Best Wedding Songs for Each Moment of your Wedding Day","excerpt":"Explore a curated collection of songs for every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, make sure each part of your special day is filled with music and emotion.","publishedAt":"2022-05-25T22:34:03.556Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4Awof6509XGZFsc5K2GCUC/21fe8ba7b5d834a1a5812f74ceaaff16/best-wedding-songs.jpg","altText":"Couple dancing at wedding reception"},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/","body":"An epic event like your wedding day calls for an equally epic playlist—from the moment you walk down the aisle to when you and your guests fill the reception dance floor, your music sets the tone for the day’s events. But with countless classic hits, chart toppers, and love anthems to choose from, picking the best wedding songs can feel overwhelming. \n\nIf you’ve been to your fair share of weddings, you’re probably familiar with the number one wedding song—the romantic ballad *All of Me* by John Legend—along with some of these popular wedding songs: \n\nThinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran \nA Thousand Years — Christina Perri \nAt Last — Etta James \nMarry Me — Train \nCan’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley \n\nBut if you’re looking for a deeper dive into some musical inspiration, we’ve compiled the best wedding songs for every moment of the big day—from the ceremony and cocktail hour to your first dance and reception. We’ve also included the best wedding songs by genre to align with music tastes of all kinds! \n\n### Table of Contents\n\n__Wedding Songs by Activity__\n- Songs for the Bachelor Party\n- Songs to Get Ready To\n- Cocktail Hour Songs\n- Wedding Processional Songs\n- Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To \n- Wedding Ceremony Songs\n- Wedding Recessional Songs\n- Wedding Party Entrance Songs\n- Newlywed Entrance Songs\n- First Dance Songs\n- Parent Dance Songs\n- Reception Songs to Dance To\n\n__Wedding Songs by Genre__\n- Modern Wedding Songs\n- Country Wedding Songs\n- Christian Wedding Songs\n- R&B Wedding Songs\n- Classic Wedding Songs\n- Fun Wedding Songs\n- Indie Wedding Songs\n- Gospel Wedding Songs\n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Activity\nYour wedding day will include [a variety of different moments and activities](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/ultimate-wedding-weekend-timeline), each calling for its own type of music (ie. you wouldn't use the same tunes from your getting ready playlist for your wedding processional music!). Browse the list below for the best wedding songs for every moment of your big day, from walking down the aisle to the best reception songs to dance to. \n\n### Songs for the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party \nThis might be a pre-wedding activity, but an epic bash like your [bachelor or bachelorette party](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/joint-bachelor-bachelorette-party-games) calls for an equally epic playlist. Head straight to Zola’s [Ultimate Bach Party playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1) on Spotify to listen to our carefully curated picks, or dive into the following song ideas for some extra inspiration. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Ultimate Bach Party](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1)\n\n![bach-party-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4HfJhStnKrZtXA9VlDVMpF/197a75c34339b09892ccf5be57c3193b/bach-party-songs.jpg)\n\n1. First Class — Jack Harlow\n2. Ferrari — James Hype\n3. Work — Rihanna\n4. Sorry — Justin Bieber\n5. Me, Myself & I — G-Eazy\n6. Roses — The Chainsmokers\n7. Hands to Myself — Selena Gomez\n8. Fast Car — Jonas Blue\n9. Stay — Kygo\n10. My House — Flo Rida\n11. Bang My Head — David Guetta\n12. Sugar — Robin Shulz\n13. Lean On — Major Lazer\n14. I’M ON ONE — Drake\n15. All My Friends — Snakehips\n16. On My Mind — Ellie Goulding\n17. Where Are Ü Now — Jack Ü\n18. How Deep Is Your Love — Calvin Harris\n19. The Sound — The 1975\n20. Middle — DJ Snake\n21. Love Myself — Hailee Steinfeld\n22. Be Right There — Diplo\n23. Focus — Ariana Grande\n24. Desperado — Rihanna \n25. Waiting for Love — Avicii \n\n\n### Songs to Get Ready To \nThe morning of your wedding is filled with excitement and anticipation, which calls for the perfect playlist to help shake off any jitters and set the tone for the day ahead. This mix of upbeat hits and nostalgic love anthems spans all decades and genres, and is sure to keep spirits high all morning long! \n\n![getting-ready-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2N2ZiONzo0gZfLUVhpVjMv/298e4d7d08f5d09561ee0842fb966e02/getting-ready-songs.jpg)\n\n26. Marry You — Bruno Mars\n27. The Cure — Lady Gaga\n28. A Moment Like This — Leona Lewis\n29. Chapel of Love — The Dixie Cups\n30. Love On Top — Beyoncé\n31. Levitating — Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby\n32. It Wasn’t Me — Shaggy ft. Rik Rok\n33. Shut Up and Dance — Walk the Moon\n34. Love Story — Taylor Swift\n35. Run the World (Girls) — Beyoncé\n36. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! — ABBA\n37. These Words — Natasha Bedingfield \n38. All You Need Is Love — The Beatles\n39. We Found Love — Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris\n40. Oh, Pretty Woman — Roy Orbison \n41. You’ve Got the Love — Florence + The Machine\n42. Rather Be — Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne\n43. I Do — Colbie Caillat \n44. Respect — Aretha Franklin \n45. Baila Conmigo — Selena Gomez\n46. Love Yourself — Justin Bieber\n47. Ain’t No Other Man — Christina Aguilera \n48. Anywhere — Rita Ora\n49. I Say A Little Prayer — Aretha Franklin\n50. White Wedding — Billy Idol \n\n\n### Wedding Processional Songs\n\nThe [wedding processional](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-processional-order) marks the beginning of the ceremony, when your family members, wedding parties, and/or flower girls and ring bearers make their way down the aisle. If you’ll have background music playing as guests are arriving, you’ll want to clearly differentiate your processional music as a signal that the wedding is beginning. \n\nWhether you choose a traditional hymn or your favorite pop tune, your processional music is entirely up to you—browse Zola’s curated Spotify playlist or choose from our selection of soft instrumentals and upbeat, whimsical tunes below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Processional Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HHY2UH9yb6lZOu3TbstSW?si=9b42439ea4634558)\n\n51. Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) — Brooklyn Duo \n52. Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World — Israel Kamakawiwo'ole\n53. A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) — The Piano Guys\n54. A Day Without Rain — Enya\n55. Marry Me — United Guitar Players\n56. Feels Like Home — Edwina Hayes\n57. Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley) — Vitamin String Quartet \n58. A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman) — Taylor Davis\n59. XO (Beyoncé) — Midnite String Quartet \n60. Beyond — Leon Bridges\n61. Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles\n62. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n63. Sea of Love — Cat Power\n64. Largo (From “Xerxes”) — Handel\n65. Higher Love — James Vincent McMorrow\n66. Begin Again — Piano Tribute Players\n67. Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) — Vesislava \n68. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You — Trio Comodo\n69. All I Want Is You (U2) — Bridesmaids Quartet \n70. Light My Fire — Threeds\n71. First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes\n72. Collide — Tiana Major9\n73. We Could Happen — AJ Rafael\n74. Hoppípolla — Sigur Rós\n75. This Feeling — Alabama Shakes\n\n\n### Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To\nThe song you walk down the aisle to sets the tone for your special day, and is an opportunity to choose something personal and meaningful to both you and your partner. While you might choose to keep your processional music the same for walking down the aisle, many couples prefer to select a different tune for the aisle moment. Check out our collection of romantic and uplifting songs that are sure to tug on heartstrings and make this moment a special one. \n\n![walk-down-aisle-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4b84od7IWvJapb34xtYBBd/219f95c080c4094a2ca21d9393d42a77/walk-down-aisle-songs.jpg)\n\n76. Bridal Chorus — Richard Wagner\n77. All of Me (John Legend) — Daniel Jang\n78. Hallelujah — Vitamin String Quartet \n79. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Haley Reinhart\n80. Wedding March — Mendelssohn \n81. Despacito (Luis Fonsi) — Brooklyn Duo \n82. A Sky Full of Stars — The Piano Guys\n83. Amazing Grace — Bridesmaids Quartet \n84. Come Away With Me — Vitamin String Quartet \n85. Forever — Josh Vietti \n\n \n### Wedding Ceremony Songs\nThere are countless opportunities to set the mood with music on your wedding day, and the [wedding ceremony](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-ceremony-programs) itself is one of them! While some couples prefer to cut the music once they’re joined together at the altar, some opt to play soft instrumental music during the ceremony to add more depth to the moment. Find some of our favorite instrumental tunes for your ceremony below. \n\n![wedding-ceremony-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7b4hCQGO7uVKySNDbx7cUr/330dd75bbf9250fec414d06a32ba71a4/wedding-ceremony-songs.jpg)\n\n86. The Secret Wedding (From “Braveheart”) — David Arkenstone ft. Kathleen Fisher\n87. Hampshire — Adrian Johnston\n88. Wedding — Frederic Chopin \n89. Sicilienne — Maria Theresia von Paradis\n90. The Meeting — John Powell\n91. Attraversiamo — Dario Marianelli\n92. Your Song — United Guitar Players \n93. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You — United Guitar Players\n94. Rhythm of Love — Bridesmaids Quartet \n95. And I Love Her — George Martin \n\n\n### Wedding Recessional Songs\nYour wedding recessional—otherwise known as your wedding exit—is the moment when you and your partner walk back down the aisle as newlyweds, followed by the wedding party and guests. Your recessional song selection should reflect the joy and excitement of what just took place and set the tone for the reception to follow. Browse our list of celebratory tunes to make your grand exit with! \n\n![wedding-reccesional-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3EKUBK1sFplsKanyL3LOwh/3ce2dc11b0c83f9b6db5f5f3d3f794aa/wedding-reccesional-songs.jpg)\n\n96. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) — Stevie Wonder\n97. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell\n98. Accidentally In Love — Counting Crows\n99. For Once in My Life — Stevie Wonder\n100. Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen\n101. Wedding Day — Bee Gees\n102. My Sweet Lord — George Harrison \n103. Adore You — Harry Styles\n104. Happy — Pharell Williams\n105. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n106. Outro — M83\n107. We Go Together — John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (Greece) \n108. Walking On a Dream — Empire of the Sun\n109. Beautiful Day — U2\n110. Never Going Back Again — Fleetwood Mac\n\n\n### Cocktail Hour Songs\nIf you’re hosting a cocktail hour—the roughly hour-long break between the ceremony and the reception—a feel-good playlist that primes your guests for the party to come is a must. Keep your song choices light and uplifting for guests to enjoy while they mingle, and save the high-energy dance tunes until you hit the dance floor. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Cocktail Hour Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aNDsmjTPra2JxdebNW5Co)\n\n111. Here Comes the Sun — Nina Simone \n112. Home — Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros\n113. Stubborn Love — The Lumineers\n114. Easy Living — Billie Holiday\n115. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat\n116. Sway — Michael Bublé\n117. Rhythm of Love — Plain White T’s\n118. Fever — Peggy Lee\n119. I Feel It Coming — The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk\n120. Let’s Fall In Love — Diana Krall\n121. At Last — Etta James\n122. The Way You Look Tonight — Tony Bennett\n123. Love Like This — Natasha Bedingfield \n124. Red Dirt Road — Brooks & Dunn\n125. Misty — Johnny Mathis\n\n\n### Wedding Party Entrance Songs\nYour guests will be looking forward to the reception once the ceremony and cocktail hour conclude, and what better way to kick things off than with a few epic entrance songs? Your wedding party entrance song calls for high-energy, celebratory tunes—here are some of our favorites.\n\n126. Can’t Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake\n127. Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand \n128. I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys\n129. Hey Ya! — OutKast\n130. I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed Peas\n131. Firework — Katy Perry\n132. Raise Your Glass — P!nk\n133. Sugar — Maroon 5\n134. Just Dance — Lady Gaga\n135. Dynamite — Tai Cruz\n\n\n### Newlywed Entrance Songs\nA moment like your first official appearance as newlyweds calls for the perfect entrance song. Whether you go for something loud and goofy or romantic and special, the following songs are guaranteed to make your reception kickoff memorable. \n\n136. Love Me Like You Do — Ellie Goulding\n137. Rollercoaster — Bleachers\n138. SexyBack — Justin Timberlake\n139. Everything Is Awesome — Tegan and Sara\n140. Starving — Hailee Steinfeld \n141. Let’s Get It Started — The Black Eyed Peas\n142. 24K Magic — Bruno Mars\n143. On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons\n144. Bring Em Out — T.I. ft Swizz Beatz\n145. Seeing Stars — Børns\n\n\n### First Dance Songs\nYou might be dancing in front of a crowd, but your first dance song should be one that’s personal to you and your partner. Keep reading for more of our favorite picks. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [First Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0EUEA6w29lAdpY0RDztFPV)\n\n![first-dance-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/21xYlhKWr4em2SPrld4q0Z/9c3cd01ddcb4d7899dd888ad80c2bc52/first-dance-songs.jpg)\n\n146. Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran\n147. You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne\n148. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley\n149. Sweetest Devotion — Adele\n150. I Will — The Beatles \n151. It Had to be You — Dooley Wilson \n152. Sparks — Coldplay\n153. Stay In My Corner — The Arcs\n154. The Best Is Yet to Come — Frank Sinatra \n155. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n\n\n### Parent Dance Songs\n[Parent dances](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/father-daughter-dance-songs) are an incredibly touching moment of the wedding day, but choosing the right song can be tough. It helps to reflect on your relationship with the parent you’ll be dancing with—what matters most is choosing a song that represents the bond you share. Browse our picks for sweet and sentimental songs below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Parent Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LvtOMWSgomb0vfKYtUtVr)\n\n156. What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong\n157. Your Song — Elton John\n158. Gracie — Ben Folds\n159. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison\n160. Isn’t She Lovely — Stevie Wonder\n161. It’s For My Dad — Nancy Sinatra\n162. My Wish — Rascal Flatts\n163. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n164. A Song For Mama — Boyz II Men\n165. I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack\n\n\n### Reception Songs to Dance To\nYour wedding reception playlist requires a balance of what you and your partner love and what your guests will enjoy, too. Regardless of what you choose, one thing’s for sure—they should make you want to dance! Our [Songs for the Dance Floor playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1) features songs that Zola couples have told us makes them want to get down, and the list below offers some extra inspiration.\n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Songs for the Dance Floor](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1)\n\n![reception-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6gP72dzRr8etOfvneB8SBZ/80d700f727d59057d982ae7fd659721a/reception-songs.jpg)\n\n166. I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston\n167. Lose Control — Missy Elliot\n168. Suavemente — Elvis Crespo\n169. On the Floor — Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull\n170. My Girl — The Temptations \n171. Play That Funky Music — Wild Cherry\n172. This Is What You Came For — Rhianna ft. Calvin Harris\n173. Havana — Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug\n174. Billie Jean — Michael Jackson \n175. Boogie Shoes — KC & The Sunshine Band\n176. Forever — Chris Brown\n177. Footloose — Kenny Loggins\n178. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars\n179. Shake It Off — Taylor Swift\n180. Yeah! — Usher \n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Genre\nThe best songs for your wedding day are those that represent your relationship with your partner and are close to both of your hearts. Instead of confining yourself to tradition or what you think you “should” include, curate your playlist based on your unique tastes. No matter what type of music you fancy, use our list of the best wedding songs by genre to tailor your playlist to what you and your partner love most. \n\n\n### Modern Wedding Songs\n181. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n182. Sunflower — Post Malone\n183. Lover — Taylor Swift\n184. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n185. Sweet Creature — Harry Styles\n186. Let’s Shut Up & Dance — Jason Derulo\n187. Boom Clap — Charli XCX\n188. Born To Be Yours — Imagine Dragons ft. Kygo\n189. Can’t Feel My Face — The Weeknd\n190. One Kiss — Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa\n191. A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay\n192. Heatstroke — Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande\n193. Coloring Outside the Lines — MisterWives\n194. 10,000 Hours — Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber\n195. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat \n\n\n### Country Wedding Songs\n196. Million Miles — Kody West\n197. Pretty Heart — Parker McCollum\n198. That’s the Way Love Goes — Merle Haggard\n199. Looking for Love — Johnny Lee\n200. Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks\n201. Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker\n202. Honey Bee — Blake Shelton\n203. Tennessee Whiskey — Chris Stapleton\n204. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) — Luke Bryan \n205. Better Together — Luke Combs\n206. Rhinestone Cowboy — Glen Campbell \n207. The Chair — George Strait \n208. Don’t Take Her She’s All I Got — Tracy Byrd\n209. You Look So Good in Love — Merle Haggard\n210. She Won’t Be Lonely Long — Clay Walker\n\n\n### Christian Wedding Songs\n211. God Gave Me You — Dave Barnes\n212. Always Only You — Josh Wilson\n213. Commitment — Sanctus Real\n214. You Say — Lauren Daigle \n215. When I Say I Do — Matthew West\n216. Hold Me — Jamie Grace ft. TobyMac\n217. Till I Found You — Phil Wickham \n218. You Love Me Anyway — Sidewalk Prophets\n219. Butterfly Kisses — Bob Carlisle\n220. Hundred More Years — Francesca Battistelli\n221. Good Day for Marrying You — Dave Barnes\n222. The Heart — NEEDTOBREATHE\n223. The King is Coming — Newsboys\n224. Made to Love — TobyMac\n225. I Promise (Wedding Song) — CeCe Winans\n\n\n### R&B/Soul Wedding Songs\n226. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You — Lauryn Hill\n227. Let’s Get married — Jagged Edge\n228. Sweet Love — Anita Baker\n229. I Can’t Do Without You — George Jackson\n230. If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys\n231. Make You Feel My Love — Adele\n232. Ain’t Nobody — Chaka Khan, Rufus\n233. Let’s Stay Together — Al Green\n234. That’s How Strong My Love Is — Otis Redding\n235. I Believe in You and Me — Whitney Houston\n236. Lovely Day — Bill Withers\n237. Rich Girl — Lake Street Dive\n238. You Sexy Thing — Hot Chocolate\n239. Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin’ — Brenton Wood\n240. Just the Two of Us — Grover Washington, Jr. ft. Bill Withers \n\n\n### Classic Wedding Songs\n241. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n242. Stayin’ Alive — Bee Gees\n243. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey\n244. Boogie Nights — Heatwave\n245. Love Train — The O’Jays\n246. Love Shack — The B-52’s\n247. September — Earth, Wind & Fire\n248. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond\n249. I Want You Back — Jackson 5\n250. We Are Family — Sister Sledge\n251. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole\n252. Better Together — Jack Johnson\n253. Happy — Pharrell Williams\n254. Superstition — Stevie Wonder\n255. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n\n\n### Fun Wedding Songs\n256. Party Rock Anthem — LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett\n257. Chained to the Rhythm — Katy Perry\n258. Groove Is in the Heart — Deee-Lite \n259. Moves Like Jagger — Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera \n260. Good Feeling — Flo Rida\n261. Crazy — Gnarles Barkley\n262. We Are Young — Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe\n263. Get Lucky — Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams \n264. Last Friday Night — Katy Perry \n265. Doo Wop (That Thing) — Lauryn Hill\n266. Raspberry Beret — Prince\n267. I Feel For You — Chaka Khan \n268. You Should Be Dancing (Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) — Bee Gees\n269. Got to Get You Into My Life — Earth, Wind & Fire\n270. Theme From Shaft (Remastered) — Isaac Hayes\n\n\n### Indie Wedding Songs\n271. Fade Into You — Mazzy Star\n272. Sweetest Thing on This Side of Heaven — Papa Bear & His Cubs\n273. In My Baby’s Arms — The California Honeydrops\n274. Coming Home — Leon Bridges\n275. Still Together — Mac DeMarco\n276. Baby — Ariel Pink\n277. My Kind of Woman — Mac DeMarco\n278. Feels Like Heaven — Ariel Pink\n279. Best to You — Blood Orange\n280. Dreams — The Cranberries\n281. Skinny Love — Bon Iver \n282. Strawberry Swing — Frank Ocean\n283. Still Into You — Paramore\n284. 1901 — Phoenix \n285. Electric Feel — MGMT\n\n\n### Rock Wedding Songs\n286. Fell in Love With a Girl — The White Stripes\n287. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) — Beastie Boys\n288. Howlin’ For You — The Black Keys\n289. With or Without You — U2\n290. Our Love — Gary Clark Jr. \n291. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses\n292. Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town — Talking Heads\n293. Nothing Else Matters — Metallica \n294. Start Me Up — Rolling Stones\n295. You Shook Me All Night Long — AC/DC\n296. Should I Stay Or Should I Go — The Clash\n297. Can’t Stop — Red Hot Chili Peppers\n298. Jump — Van Halen\n299. Bitch, I Love You — Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears \n300. Dancing in the Dark — Bruce Springsteen\n\nCurating the perfect wedding playlist might feel daunting, but try to have fun with it! Focus on filling your playlist with songs that represent your unique love story and relationship. Now that you’ve got 300 songs to work with, we’re confident you’ll find something you love. ","tag":"Music + Entertainment","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.234Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj","title":"How to Choose Your Wedding DJ","excerpt":"Music makes the reception, so you need a wedding DJ that can keep the energy all the way up. Narrow down your search with our guide to choosing the perfect DJ for your big day.","author":"Jenn Sinrich","publishedAt":"2019-06-24T09:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6V8yIOmS3LBVMBJHp6gWhg/deca065a855a5f9c4618a8d6e1a5e44c/AntonDrummondPhotography_HeroImage_1080x720.jpg","altText":"indian couple dances to wedding dj"},"heroCredit":"Anton Drummond","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-photographers/anton-drummond-photography","body":"Wedding reception entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes, but a DJ is one of the more modern options available that has become an increasingly popular choice over live music. That said, not all DJs will be suitable for wedding receptions. And the ones that are might not be suitable for your wedding reception. So, let’s break down how to narrow down your wedding DJ options to one—plus, get into the top [questions you should be asking](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/questions-to-ask-wedding-dj). Consider this your [wedding DJ checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-dj-checklist). \n\n## Reasons to Hire a Wedding DJ\nTypically couples choose between DJs or live entertainment like a band. You can also forgo both options and [DJ your own wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-dj-your-own-wedding) (an ambitious choice!) or figure out some combination of the two. If you’re on the fence, here are some benefits of a wedding DJ.\n\n__- It’s cost effective.__ [Compared to a live band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-does-a-live-wedding-band-cost) (or other live entertainment), DJs typically boast lower rates. This isn’t always true, but generally speaking, DJs require less housekeeping costs. Bands require more man power and potentially more travel costs because of their equipment. \n\n__- Hear your favorite music—the way you remember it.__ Don’t get us wrong: We love a [wedding band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choose-wedding-band-or-dj). That said, if you chose Elton John’s “The Way You Look Tonight” as your [first dance song](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-first-dance-songs) because it conjures a specific romantic moment for you, it’s nice to know it will sound the same way as the time you fell in love with it. The same can be said when it comes to listening to any of your wedding songs post-celebration.\n\n__- DJs can read the crowd.__ All performers should have some ability to read the room, but DJs have the unique ability to be able to shift musical direction with just a few key mixing elements. Bands, on the other hand, will typically have to finish out a song even if the crowd doesn’t seem to enjoy it. Bands also tend to have a set lineup that they stick to for formal events.\n\n![Eli3Photos InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2eHdVJRJudGGcyodUU3FKJ/b8d78372d59b4795b4fe9d821d39b697/Eli3Photos_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Eli3 Photography\n\n## 30 Questions to Ask Wedding DJs and Bands\nAt this point, you’ve likely already booked your wedding venue, caterer, and perhaps officiant. In that case, we’re sure you’re well-versed in the process of researching and narrowing down your potential vendors to a few options.\n\nOnce you’ve chosen your top three DJ options, contact them to make sure they’re available on your wedding day first. If so, schedule a call, in-person meeting, or even FaceTime appointment to talk. These meetings are your opportunity to get all of the intel you need to choose your wedding DJ. Here is a list of questions you want to ask:\n\n### The Basics\nBefore diving into the details, it’s paramount that you start with the basics. These important questions will inform you of a DJ’s availability and experience, as well as give you an idea of their schedule.\n\n- __Are you available for my wedding date__? As with all wedding vendors, this should be your first question. Ensure that a DJ available for your wedding before taking the time to speak or meet with one-another.\n\n- __How long have you been DJing__? Right away, you want to get an idea of how much experience this vendor has. Make sure this potential DJ is seasoned and prepared to work professionally.\n\n- __How many weddings have you worked__? There’s a difference between DJing at a music venue and for a wedding reception. Inquire about how much wedding experience this DJ has under their belt.\n\n- __How many weddings do you perform at per weekend__? Do you perform at multiple events in one day? Get an idea of how busy (read: potentially overwhelmed or tired) this wedding reception DJ may be on your weeding day or weekend.\n\n- __Will you or someone on your team be the day-of DJ__? Some DJs run their own businesses featuring solely themselves. Other companies have a lineup of DJs available. Ask if the person you’re speaking with would be the one at your wedding and, if not, if you could at at a point get in contact with who will be.\n\n- __How do you get a shy crowd moving__? Not all crowds are quick to rush the dance floor. One major perk of hiring a DJ is that they know how to get (and keep) a party going. Ask how they handle a situation in which the crowd is slow to get started.\n\n- __Do you have references I can reach out to__? The biggest reassurance you can get about a wedding vendor will come from their past clients. Ask if they have references you can reach out to that will recommend them and speak to you about their work.\n\n### Music\nChances are you got a feel for this DJ’s music style via their website or social media. Even so, it’s important that you learn more about their catalogue and style so you aren’t met with any surprises.\n\n- __How would you describe your style?__ House, Top 40, country, classics—plenty of DJs specialize in a specific type of music. Make sure yours aligns with the kind of music you want played on your big day.\n\n- __How often do you update your music catalogue?__ If you’re looking for more current music, it’s crucial to know how often a DJ updates their music collection. You don’t want to run into a situation where you’re looking forward to hearing last month’s hit radio song, only to find out that your DJ’s music library isn’t that up-to-date.\n\n- __Do you use a predetermined set list?__ Many DJs will have a pre-made setlist they can play or that you can build off of.\n\n- __Can we make the playlist?__ Say you know your musical taste—and the taste of your guests—incredibly well. Ask if it’s possible that you and your partner curate a list of songs—as well as a do not play list.\n\n- __Do you have any samples of your work?__ If you can’t find samples on their website, ask if you can be sent some via email.\n\n- __How do you handle song requests?__ Odds are, at least a few of your guests will approach your DJ with song requests. Inquire about how they handle these, if they take them at all.\n\n- __Will you also act as emcee?__ From your wedding party’s entrance, to your father-daughter dance, to toasts, you may have a lot of announcement that need to be made throughout your reception. These are typically made by the DJ, but you’ll need to make sure this is the case.\n\n### Logistics\nThese details might not be as exciting to discuss at the music itself, but they’re equally—if not more—important to your wedding planning.\n\n- __How much equipment do you require?__ Be aware of the DJ equipment they’ll need/will bring on your wedding day to get an idea of the set-up.\n\n- __Would we need to provide any separate equipment?__ It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there will be a type of equipment that you need to provide, yourself. Ask if they’ll need a microphone, cables, or other tech equipment.\n\n- __How do you handle equipment malfunctions?__ Will you have backup equipment? Ideally, nothing will go wrong during your wedding celebration. However, sometimes things happen. Be aware of what this DJ will do if a piece of their equipment malfunctions mid-reception.\n\n- __Can you provide wireless mics for the wedding ceremony?__ It’s easier for everyone if you stick to one sound system throughout the day. If you don’t need to rent out a microphone from elsewhere, that’s a nice plus.\n\n- __Are you familiar with our reception space?__ Ask if they’ve worked at your reception location before. If not, they may need to show up earlier to figure out how to set-up.\n\n- __Do you plan to use lighting or special effects?__ Strobe lights, video screens, sparklers, projectors—many DJs have special effects set-ups that can be included in a music package.\n\n- __Do you handle set-up and break-down?__ Ensure that the DJ and/or their team will handle the setting up and breaking down of their equipment.\n\n- __What will you wear?__ Wedding themes and formalities varying greatly. For that reason, your DJ should wear something that won’t make them look out of place.\n\n- __If you’re unable to perform on the day of, do you have a backup plan?__ Most wedding vendors have a backup employee or contact they can reach out to in the event that they can’t make it to your wedding last-minute.\n\n- __Can you provide us with a full itinerary for the reception?__ If you have a wedding planner, chances are you’ll create an itinerary with them. If not, however, it may come down to you and your DJ.\n\n### Pricing\nThe bottom line is usually one of the biggest factors when it comes to deciding on wedding music. However, it isn’t as simple as asking what they charge. Discuss all potential fees and every option available to you.\n\n- __What are your rates?__ Do you charge by hours, packages, or both? Inquire about how this DJ charges their clients. They may set prices for different packages or change by the hours that they set-up and are playing music.\n\n- __Do you have packages available?__ What is included? Packages make it easy to see what all a DJ can offer you—and for what price. Ask for a detailed breakdown of each package available.\n\n- __Do you have payment plans?__ Some vendors will allow you to pay in installments, while others will require a down payment, then a final payment.\n\n- __Do you have an overtime fee?__ Often, couples will get to the end of their wedding reception and ask the venue if they can extend their hours. In this event, make sure you’re aware of your DJ’s overtime fees.\n\n- __Will there be additional fees?__ Transportation, parking, etc.? Get an outline of every item you can be potentially charged for or are expected to pay.\n\n- __What is your cancellation policy?__ In the event that you need to cancel or postpone your wedding, don’t get caught with surprise rules. Ask what cancellation, reschedule, and refund policies they have in place.\n\n- __Do you have the required insurance?__ Liability insurance is a must. Be sure that your DJ has it, plus any insurance that is required by your city or venue.\n\n- __When can we expect a quote and/or written contract?__ When you’ve discussed all of the above and are ready to sign on the dotted line, ask when you can expect to receive a full contract.\n\n# How to Choose Your Wedding DJ\n\n## Start your search early.\nWhile choosing your wedding DJ doesn’t have to be the very first thing on your [wedding checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist), it shouldn’t be one of the last either. Once you [choose your wedding venue](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-a-wedding-venue), make wedding entertainment your next focus. Like venues, sought-after DJs book up quickly. So, don’t hesitate to start your search, especially if your top choices are popular in your area. \n\n## Consider your style.\nLike we said, not all DJs are meant to be wedding DJs—it’s a broad title. Wedding DJs are specific experts in how receptions flow and how to choose music that suits many demographics. Be sure to immediately cross off any DJs without wedding-specific experience (unless you’re having an unconventional reception or if you’re asking a friend to DJ, of course).\n\nWedding DJ can still mean a lot of different things. So, it’s important to keep your style and wedding vision top of mind. If you’re more old school and a fan of music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, for example, pursue a DJ who specializes in music from those decades. If you’re more into rap or pop or other more modern genres, you want to find a DJ who’s well-versed on the top of the charts.\n\n## Ask around for recommendations.\nThe easiest way to narrow down any vendor search: word of mouth recommendations. Ask your family, friends, colleagues, whoever if they hired a DJ they loved. Even if they’re not engaged or married, they may have recently attended a wedding with a DJ that really wowed. \n\nOf course you can also always trust the Internet to help you start your search, too. We recommend starting with a vendor search from a reputable wedding source. We’re biased but Zola makes the [vendor search process](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) basically seamless. You can read reviews from real couples, find out what services each DJ specifically offers, and more. It’s an easy way to taper your search to at least a handful of options.\n\nAs you conduct your Internet search, pay special attention to any trends you see in reviews. For example, look out for any mentions of tardiness—you don’t want anything to hold up your reception once you’re ready to party. \n\n![PineappleSunrisePhotography InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/74IYZz9UxZh1n1HYmuGhKs/e89519c6c36dd3b07d6af70832f6f463/PineappleSunrisePhotography_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Pineapple Sunrise Photography\n\n## Get everything in writing.\nBefore you solidify your wedding DJ, be sure to get hammer out all of these details in writing. Be sure to include any notes on special requests, including certain song recommendations, exact start and end times, who will actually DJ day-of, etc.\n\nOnce you choose your DJ, you’ll likely be tasked with coming up with a list of must-hear songs, another list of absolutely-do-not-play songs, and a list of nice-to-hear-but-not-necessary songs. After that, your DJ will take it from there.\n\nJust like that, the search for your [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj) is on. Now that you’re prepared with the right information and know what to ask a wedding DJ, you’re ready to hire the vendor that’s going to help create the best wedding for you. However, if you do need some help with how to find a wedding DJ, start with our database of [bands, DJ, and musicians](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-bands-djs).","tag":"How-To ","widget1":{"marketingModule":{"tag":"EA_VendorMarketplace"}},"stickyCta":{"copy":"Find Vendors in Your Area","url":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/onboard?question=intro"},"updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.947Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"wedding-entertainment-ideas","title":"77 Unique Wedding Ideas to Make Your Day Unforgettable","excerpt":"While you'll be the center of attention on your big day, you can make your event more memorable with these unique wedding ideas for you and your guests.\n","publishedAt":"2024-03-20T12:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/nzD7rmoBlY10Jg3Nydevp/5b3bc39f9df3772b639f46ad6e238063/zola-entertainment-ideas-hero.jpg","altText":"Two lesbian brides hold hands while walking in a flower field."},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com","body":"Your wedding is an opportunity to go big and create a standout experience for everyone on your special day. While you’ll naturally be the center of attention at your wedding, you can make it memorable for everyone by keeping their enjoyment in mind.\n\nAs much as some guests may love getting down on the dance floor, others might prefer something a little more low-key. Aim to offer a variety of activities for wedding guests of all personality types. If you’re stuck on where to begin, we’ve put together a list of unique wedding ideas—from music and dessert to performances—as well as trendy options for the reception and beyond. \n\n## Where to find wedding ideas\n\nLean into your love story and use it to guide your wedding ideas. For example, you can serve the cuisine you ate on your first date or pay tribute to a shared hobby you enjoy. The possibilities are endless, so here are some of the best places to draw inspo.\n\n- Your first date\n- Your engagement story\n- Your favorite season\n- Your shared hobbies and interests\n- Your favorite food\n- Your heritage \n- Your travels together \n- Your pet\n\nNow that you know *where* to find inspiration, it’s time to dive into our list! From hiring a live painter to setting up a hot chocolate bar, any of these fun wedding ideas will ensure your event is one to remember. \n\n## 76 Unique wedding ideas\n\n### 1. Heart-shaped wedding cakes\nVintage cakes are back! This heart-shaped dessert wedding idea is all over social media and is about maximum romance. Decorated with layers of colorful icing, the cake is topped with cherries for an aesthetic touch.\n\n### 2. Disposable cameras\nAnother popular wedding idea in 2024 is placing disposable cameras on your guests’ tables so they can snap candid shots all night long. Develop and compile the photos into a photo album you’ll cherish forever.\n\n### 3. Wedding weekends\nWho said the celebration has to last only one day? More and more couples are embracing “wedding weekends,” where their guests are treated to various fun activities leading up to and after the wedding day.\n\n### 4. Personalized cocktails\nAdd a fun touch to your reception with a [signature wedding drink](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choosing-signature-wedding-cocktail)! Craft a delicious cocktail that aligns with your event style and season, whether it’s a cozy spiked apple cider for winter or a refreshing limoncello spritz for the warmer months. \n\n![louis-hansel-byzvm4J8Ljw-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1YPZShGfdPWgPXAS3WnZrq/d5649552828cdff0778dc368430d4a7b/louis-hansel-byzvm4J8Ljw-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 5. Colored glasses\nEmbrace color and decorate your tablescape with bright hues that bring happiness and joy. From vintage-style goblets and martini glasses to retro tumblers, there are so many ways to incorporate colored glasses into your wedding design. \n\n### 6. Sparkly outfit changes\nSwap your ceremony outfit for a glittery ensemble to get the party started! Choose something chic that you can dance and have fun in. Plus, your guests will be surprised when you walk out wearing a brand-new fit.\n\n### 7. Midnight snacks\nAfter partying all night, your guests will appreciate a yummy snack to take home. Some of our favorite ideas are crispy McDonald's fries, warm salted pretzels, and mini cheesesteaks. \n\n### 8. Bespoke wedding stationery\nThere’s nothing more romantic than hand-painted wedding stationery. One creative wedding idea is to tap an artist like [Ofelia Botella](https://www.ofeliabotella.com/), who specializes in painting 10 bespoke templates for your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, menu cards, and other [wedding paper](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper). We’re obsessed.\n\n### 9. Hayrides\nIf your wedding takes place during the fall season, offer hayrides to guests between your ceremony and reception locations. A hayride is also the perfect entrance to kick off a fall-themed wedding affair.\n\n### 10. Audio guestbooks \nSet up a retro-style rotary phone and have your guests leave voice messages instead of signing a traditional guest book. You’ll be able to cherish your loved ones’ words and hear their actual voices, which is all the more meaningful. \n\n### 11. Champagne tower\nKick off your reception with a champagne tower to signal your guests that the fun is just beginning! Both elegant and extravagant, it’s a quick and easy way to offer drinks to everyone at once.\n\n### 12. Live painter\nWatching an artist pour their heart and soul onto the canvas in real-time can be a captivating experience for you and your guests. Plus, you’ll come away with a piece of artwork you can cherish for a lifetime. To thank your guests in a special way, mail them mini prints of the piece after the wedding.\n\n### 13. Themed piñata\nFor something easy, hang up a piñata and let your guests have a go at it! If traditional weddings aren’t really your thing, you could even have it replace a wedding cake by stuffing it with candy and other goodies for everyone to enjoy.\n\n### 14. Photo booth\nA photo booth is a classic wedding idea. Rent or DIY a photo booth so guests can document their time on your wedding day. Don’t forget to add a styled backdrop and props, or make it simple and just capture photos of your guests outside.\n\n![premium photo-1661440006763-56c271705ada](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2kqvvu4b2IaI8VgjOvjhpY/c504a1a9d555cd3d0803de6c8f908d9e/premium_photo-1661440006763-56c271705ada.avif)\n\n### 15. Dance-off competition\nIf you hired a [DJ or band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/questions-to-ask-wedding-dj) for your wedding, ask if they’ll emcee and organize a dance competition. Have the wedding party kick things off, then encourage your guests to join to see who has the best dance moves.\n\n### 16. Glow sticks\nEverybody loves glow sticks, so crack a few to light up the evening. These simple guest handouts also make for some great photos if your reception is dimmed.\n\n### 17. Bouquet toss\nWhen it comes to fun wedding reception ideas, we couldn’t resist mentioning a bouquet toss! Throw your bouquet and see who the lucky catcher is. This traditional activity is one that many guests will already know, so it should be easy to get people to participate.\n\n### 18. Date night jar\nAsk your guests to write down a [date night idea](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/30-romantic-affordable-date-night-ideas) on a slip of paper and add it to a newlywed date night jar. Alternatively, ask for their best piece of marriage advice—no matter how silly or corny it may be!\n\n### 19. Limbo\nSee how low you can go with a wedding game you can play indoors or outdoors and will be enjoyed by various guests.\n\n### 20. Glitter station\nA glitter bar is a particularly good idea for festival-themed weddings. Set up a station for guests to add some sparkle to their faces, beards, and even eyebrows.\n\n### 21. Karaoke\nBring the fun of karaoke to your wedding night for some priceless entertainment your guests are sure to remember. Just a tip—you’ll likely get a more enthusiastic response if you wait until after drinks have been served.\n\n### 22. Confetti\nNo matter what style of wedding suits your fancy, you can’t go wrong with confetti! Make use of a confetti cannon, or go a more unconventional route. You can even ditch regular confetti in favor of flower petals, leaves, or birdseed to better match your theme.\n\n### 23. Choreographed dance routine\nSometimes, guests need a little encouragement to feel confident on the dance floor. Watching someone else get out there first might be just the push they need. Break the ice by choreographing a dance routine with the wedding party to kick off your reception.\n\n### 24. Furry friends\nWho says [your dog](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-throw-the-perfect-dog-wedding) can’t be a part of your wedding? If your pet is friendly and your venue approves, there’s no harm in bringing them along! Or, if you’re an animal lover but don’t have a pet of your own, you could work with a local shelter or rescue to set up and sponsor animal adoptions.\n\n![vasylyna-kucherepa-5Pq -dSdMX4-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/51XINlLe0X5gXO78QuSgpT/19bf02b186a39d08375cb106f3838165/vasylyna-kucherepa-5Pq_-dSdMX4-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 25. Silent disco\nMany venues have noise restrictions, which can feel like a bummer—but a silent disco is an excellent alternative to keep your guests hyped up. This twist on your average reception is sure to be hit among a variety of different personality types.\n\n### 26. Puzzles\nPuzzles are a simple form of entertainment that even the quietest and lowkey guests can appreciate. You can even order custom puzzles with a photo of your choice, so it’s a great excuse to show off your engagement pictures.\n\n### 27. Lego challenge\nPlace a small pile of legos at each reception table and see who can assemble the most unique creation. It may seem strange, but a Lego challenge is an activity that children and adults alike can enjoy.\n\n### 28. Slideshows\nIf all else fails, this is one of the most simple wedding reception entertainment ideas that’s guaranteed to make everyone smile. Set up a projector and play a slideshow of photos or videos that tell the story of your relationship.\n\n### 29. Light show\nIf you’re planning to have a DJ at your wedding, see if they offer additional services like light shows during the reception. Special lighting effects provide a unique visual experience for guests while illuminating the dance floor.\n\n### 30. Awards ceremony\nYour wedding day is all about you and your partner, but what if you don’t really like being the center of attention? Hold an awards ceremony to show appreciation for all of the wonderful family and friends who helped make your special day possible.\n\n### 31. Wedding raffle\nIt can be difficult to find affordable [wedding favors](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-favor-ideas) that everyone will love, especially if you’re on a budget. Instead, consider pooling the money you would have spent on favors and purchasing a bigger-ticket item instead. Then, hold a raffle to see who wins the prize!\n\n### 32. Guest props\nProps don’t just have to be for photo booths. Providing props throughout the reception gives each guest the opportunity to express themselves uniquely. Bonus points if you also provide selfie sticks!\n\n### 33. Bonfire\nHosting a bonfire probably isn’t your first thought when it comes to wedding entertainment, but gathering everyone around the fire to chat can be a great way to end your special day. If you’re having an outdoor fall wedding, this is also a great way to keep everyone warm.\n\n### 34. Extravagant wedding sendoffs\nExit your reception in style! There are many unique [wedding sendoff ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/50-wedding-send-off-ideas) to make the moment extra special, from jetting off your own “Just Married” convertible to running under sparklers for a picture-worthy photo op. \n\n![derek-thomson-TkVqmu1QUSk-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4IijLoZQhldv0ypmNYNBfJ/26aa2bd03d489359994ce8d4e5c6a3bd/derek-thomson-TkVqmu1QUSk-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 35. Couples coloring books\nColoring doesn’t just have to be for kids! Give out adult coloring books as wedding favors and provide crayons or colored pencils at your reception tables. This isn’t your typical wedding favor, but it’s perfect for artsy guests.\n\n### 36. Sparklers\nSparklers make for a great wedding send-off, but they can also be used for guest entertainment. If your venue is outdoors, pass them out throughout the evening, and make sure to ask your photographer to snap some photos.\n\n### 37. Outdoor swing\nA swing is a whimsical addition to incorporate into an outdoor wedding. Decorate to tie it into your theme, and it’ll be the perfect place for children to gather and play. As an added bonus, it can double as a beautiful setting for your wedding portraits.\n\n### 38. Boat ride\nOffering boat rides is a no-brainer for any waterfront wedding. If you want something even more extravagant, take things up a notch by hosting your reception on a yacht.\n\n### 39. Petting zoo\nHaving your wedding at a farm venue? Consider setting up a petting zoo to add to the barnyard theme. Your animal-loving guests, especially children, will have a great time interacting with the farm animals.\n\n### 40. Horse-drawn carriage\nBoth you and your guests will feel like royalty if you incorporate a horse-drawn carriage into your wedding day. Make a statement with your entrance and then utilize the carriage to transport guests between the ceremony and reception locations.\n\n### 41. Ax throwing\nWhile it’s probably not your typical idea of a wedding activity, ax throwing will thrill your guests and give them an adrenaline rush they’ll remember. If you’re having a Halloween-themed wedding, it’ll also perfectly complement the spooky vibe.\n\n### 42. Table trivia\nSetting up wedding table trivia games is such a simple yet effective way to keep your guests entertained during dinner and beyond.\n\n### 43. Guess the guest\nThis one requires a bit more preparation, but we can assure you that it’ll be well worth the extra time! Ask your guests to include an interesting fact about themselves along with their RSVP that they’re comfortable sharing. Then, make a game of it on your wedding day to see who can get the most correct guesses.\n\n### 44. Face painting\nIf you’re a child at heart, you’ll love this unique wedding entertainment idea. Bring out the face paint and set up a station for guests to be painted with designs like flowers, butterflies, or leopard print. If you’re particularly creative, you could make up your own designs that tie into your wedding theme.\n\n![premium photo-1684244455978-59395cfcce81](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/46EVA8gDNYnAJS24XjyPkB/ec3e896b1bd1b0e532753e9c8e6d7322/premium_photo-1684244455978-59395cfcce81.avif)\n\n### 45. Virtual reality\nIs your venue limited in space to set up games? Hiring a virtual reality company is a great alternative that’s still enjoyable while taking up less room.\n\n### 46. Couples trivia\nSee which of your guests truly knows you the best—put a spin on regular trivia by including trivia questions about you and your spouse.\n\n### 47. Photo scavenger hunt\nFor something that everyone from the most to least competitive can enjoy, create a photo scavenger hunt. Ask your guests to snap photos of everything from a selfie to a cute picture of the newlyweds.\n\n### 48. Badminton\nAnother lawn game favorite perfect for an outdoor wedding, badminton is a great way to engage your guests' competitive sides.\n\n### 49. Guess who\nSit down with your partner and create a list of silly or unique facts about yourselves. Then, combine them into a list. On your wedding day, have your guests try to guess who each fact belongs to.\n\n### 50. Ring toss\nUpcycle old wine bottles for a game of ring toss that’ll tie in perfectly with your wedding colors.\n\n### 51. Guest bingo\nPurchase or DIY custom wedding bingo boards and play a round or two during the reception dinner. If you have an emcee, ask if they’ll take the lead on this so you and your wedding party can get in on the fun, too.\n\n### 52. Name that song\nPut your favorite playlist on shuffle and see who can guess the name of each song first. This is a great activity to break the ice and get even your most shy guests out on the dance floor.\n\n### 53. Ping pong\nHosting a dry wedding or beer pong just not your thing? A traditional game of ping pong is a simple (and child-friendly!) option for entertaining guests.\n\n### 54. S’mores\nIf your venue has an outdoor fire pit for roasting marshmallows, then making s’mores is a must! Set up a self-serve s’mores station with all of the supplies your guests need to enjoy this delicious treat. Sitting around the fire is a guaranteed way to keep cozy and get the conversation flowing!\n\n![joel-aguilar-J3iadlhQ7qc-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1J8kb7WQ66mg6CmR42xsJo/6047a3774e5fb1415bd53192e998f836/joel-aguilar-J3iadlhQ7qc-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 55. Checkers\nClassic checkers can make a great option for wedding entertainment, but if you want something a little more extravagant, set up a giant checkerboard to play giant checkers.\n\n### 56. Cornhole\nAdd some southern flair with a game of cornhole! If your venue has a lawn, set up some personalized “Mr.” or “Mrs.” cornhole boards and get tossing.\n\n### 57. Popcorn stand\nKeep your wedding activities simple by setting up a popcorn stand paired with a photo slideshow for viewing at the reception.\n\n### 58. Hot chocolate bar\nKeep your guests warm and cozy with a self-serve hot chocolate bar. This wedding idea may seem unconventional, but it’s the perfect way to level up a winter wedding.\n\n### 59. Chocolate fountain\nWho doesn’t love chocolate? As simple as it may sound, you’d be surprised how much a chocolate fountain can wow guests. Serve marshmallows and fruit of your choice, and use this as an excuse to skip serving dessert if you wish. Be warned, though—this is one of the more messy wedding entertainment ideas.\n\n### 60. Cocktail bar\nLet guests loosen up during cocktail hour before hitting the dance floor. Frozen cocktails are the ultimate option for keeping guests cool at an outdoor summer wedding. For the kids, don’t forget to mix up some mocktails!\n\n### 61. Wine tasting\nIf you’re already serving wine along with the dinner courses, you have the perfect opportunity to organize an event for it. Have the waiters introduce the bottles of wine and allow guests to try a sampling of each.\n\n### 62. Whiskey tasting\nA whiskey-tasting table is a great alternative to wine-tasting or a traditional open bar. Offer a few whiskey selections in styled glasses for your guests to sample.\n\n### 63. DIY mimosas\nA DIY mimosa bar is the perfect addition to take your wedding entertainment to the next level. Create a fun experience for guests by setting up a styled table with champagne, juices, and garnishes. For an extra touch, include a sugaring station.\n\n### 64. Ice cream cart\nHaving an outdoor summer wedding? You can’t go wrong with an ice cream cart, which is a delicious cool-down option for a hot summer day.\n\n![premium photo-1658526992090-e15722e684c0](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/scKuXWEx4qM3XPc48Xgyc/0636221d2a4ae044051bfd8c50c50987/premium_photo-1658526992090-e15722e684c0.avif)\n\n### 65. Magician\nIf you want to add an extra touch of magic to your wedding, what better way to do it than by hiring a magician? A magician’s performance is one that guests both young and old can enjoy.\n\n### 66. DJ\nHire a [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj) to help get people on the dance floor during your reception. Customize a fun wedding playlist everyone can get down to or let your guests request the songs they want to hear.\n\n### 67. Live band\nIf you don’t want to have a DJ at your wedding, consider hiring a local band instead. Nothing beats the experience of listening to live music, and it’s a great way to support your local musicians.\n\n### 68. String quartet\nCreate an enchanting and romantic atmosphere by hiring a string quartet to play during your wedding.\n\n### 69. Steel drum band\nSteel drums, or steel pans, are an instrument from the Caribbean. This type of entertainment will give your guests a glimpse of the islands, adding the perfect touch to a beach or destination wedding.\n\n### 70. Comedian\nGet your guests laughing and set the tone for the reception by hiring a comedian. This is a great way to get everyone in a cheerful mood. Keep in mind you’ll want to discuss any topics that should be avoided beforehand to ensure the performance runs smoothly.\n\n### 71. Harpist\nHiring a harpist is another great way to enchant guests and create a romantic atmosphere on your wedding day.\n\n### 72. Children’s entertainer\nFor child-friendly weddings, having some form of entertainment specifically for children is a thoughtful touch that will definitely be appreciated. Parents at your wedding will be able to enjoy the day knowing that their children are occupied, safe, and out of trouble.\n\n### 73. Caricaturist\nHire a caricature artist to sketch fun portraits of you and your guests. These can also serve as personalized wedding favors.\n\n### 74. Fireworks\nEnd your special day with a bang—literally—with a gorgeous firework display. Check with your venue beforehand and give your wedding photographer a heads-up so they can make the most of the magical lighting.\n\n![shifaaz-shamoon-vhDst8AetiA-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/MhHTto4gYmrs0jasJTG40/131ed953a3b7f9519a21fc23c9562acc/shifaaz-shamoon-vhDst8AetiA-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 75. Sword performer\nYes, sword swallowing is actually a thing! It’s a skill that originated in India around 4,000 years ago, but there aren’t many people still performing it today. If you do manage to book a sword-swallowing performance, you can be sure that no one will ever forget it.\n\n### 76. Fire performer\nThere’s no doubt your wedding will stand out with a fire performance. Fire artists have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves that are pretty much guaranteed to blow your guests away. Did we mention that some can even breathe fire?\n\n### 77. Palm reader\nThe moment you say “I do” is the moment your future begins. Having a palm or tarot card reader at your wedding can be a fun way to see a glimpse of what it may hold. While this may not be on everyone’s list of things to do at a wedding, it’s an idea to consider if you want to do something different.\n\nWhen you’re choosing between wedding ideas, it’s a good thought to cater to a variety of personality types. Whether it’s a dance-off or a traditional bouquet toss, involving the people you love most is key to creating a memorable experience. Explore [Zola’s marketplace](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors) to find vendors in your area to help you execute your dream event. ","updatedAt":"2025-06-07T16:49:43.805Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"how-to-dj-your-own-wedding","title":"How to DJ Your Own Wedding","excerpt":"If you're thinking about being your own wedding DJ, make sure you keep these expert tips in mind to stay properly prepared and guarantee a packed dance floor all night long.","publishedAt":"2019-02-03T03:41:57.661Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4boZCuK2eKdpsD0ESWwAP0/39780f7e9a57e1546be4363e23b17b4f/Hero_New.jpg","altText":"Wedding DJ playing music at an outdoor evening wedding reception"},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-photographers/fia-forever-wedding-photography","body":"Wedding entertainment is an obvious place for couples to cut wedding costs. Why pay for a pricey DJ (or an even more expensive wedding band) when all the songs you could possibly want are right at your fingertips? \n\nThanks to the easy proliferation of mp3 files, music-streaming services, and the advanced sound quality available in small, affordable speakers these days, DIYing your own wedding music seems fairly doable—easy, even. But there are some major considerations you should keep in mind when deciding to DJ your own wedding, not to mention some guidelines to follow to make sure the experience is harmonious for everyone (see what we did there?). \n\nRead on for our expert tips for how to DJ your own wedding that will have you and your guests keeping the beat all night long. \n\n## Pros and Cons of DJing Your Own Wedding \nBefore you start shopping the aisles of Best Buy, take some time to really consider whether DJing your own wedding is the right move for you. Here are some pros and cons of being your own wedding DJ: \n\n__Pros:__\n- Saves a lot of money.\n- Offers ultimate control over your ceremony, cocktail, dinner, and dancing playlists.\n- Allows you to control the mood and vibe (and avoid cheesy DJ antics).\n\n__Cons:__\n- Might have to “work” at your own wedding.\n- Potential poor sound quality or lack of amplification.\n- Guest might want to overtake (or offer lots of feedback on) the playlist.\n- There’s no professional to deal with any technical difficulties. \n- Must know how to build a good wedding playlist that flows, encourages dancing, and matches the right moods.\n\n## What You’ll Need to DJ Your Own Wedding\nWhile you don’t need a truckload of professional A/V equipment to DJ your own wedding, don’t think that you can just plug your phone into a speaker on the day of your wedding and be ready to roll. As with any DIY wedding project, the more preparation you put into it, the better the results. Once you decide to self-DJ, visit or talk to your wedding venue to find out more about their setup for playing music: \n- Do they have a fully equipped system for playing and amplifying music already on-site, or will you need to bring one (or parts of one) in? \n- Can someone walk you through the locations of equipment, cables, outlets, and other considerations so you will know exactly how to set up on your own? \n\nIf you will be providing your own equipment, consider renting professional-quality amplification. One of the biggest DIY DJ missteps is not realizing how much volume you’ll need: while your bluetooth speaker sounds plenty loud in your home, you’ll need powerful amplification in order to project sound over hundreds of bodies, their chatter, and general party din. Plus, nothing makes it harder to pack the dance floor than music that just isn’t loud enough. Renting a basic set of speakers and an amp will cost you $75-100; adding a mixer and a wireless microphone will add another $100-$200. \n\nHere’s the list of necessary equipment you’ll need to buy, borrow, or rent to successfully DJ your own wedding:\n- An iPod, laptop, or other digital music player\n- A good speaker system, including: \n- (2) 12-15” speakers with stands\n- Subwoofer (optional)\n- A mixing console \n- A cable to connect the player to the mixer (most likely a mini-stereo to a male dual RCA)\n- A microphone, either wireless or with a very long cable\n\n## DIY Wedding DJ Gameplan\nFollow these steps to smoothly pull off the perfect evening of curated, meaningful, and crowd-pleasing tunes. \n\n### 1. Gather Your Equipment\nCheck out the list above, and go about buying or sourcing all of the gear you’ll need to self-DJ like a pro. Check with your venue to see if they have any of the necessary items already on site. \n\n### 2. Rent Amplification\nWe’ve already mentioned this, but powerful speakers can make or break your party—look into renting a set of speakers, an amp, and possible a subwoofer and a mixer from a local music or A/V shop. It will set you back much less than hiring a professional DJ, and is well worth the investment so you and your guests can actually hear your finely crafted playlist.\n\n### 3. Build Your Playlists\nSit down with your partner and start making a list of your favorite tunes. Throw everything on the list at first, and whittle down later. Think about the songs that are meaningful to you as a couple, songs that you love to dance to, and songs that you know will please your crowd. You can purchase new music from iTunes, or build playlists from streaming music sites like Spotify or Apple Music. Just be sure to download your playlists to your computer so that you can create multiple copies, and so you’re not relying on a wifi connection for access. \n\nWhile you might be laser-focused on the dance party, there is more to your wedding day music than just the reception. We recommend that you make separate playlists for each part of the day, which will make it easier for whomever is helping to hit the play button at the right time. Here are suggestions for the different wedding playlists you should craft: \n- __Pre-Ceremony:__ For when guests are arriving and finding their seats.\n- __Ceremony:__ Include (and clearly label) the processional song, the bride’s processional song (if different), any songs that appear in the service itself, and the recessional song. \n- __Cocktails:__ You want some ambient music to be playing during your cocktail hour, but nothing that overwhelms the room or inhibits people from conversing. Think upbeat, light tunes in such genres as jazz, bluegrass, classical, standards, and folk. \n- __Reception Introductions:__ You may want some fun music to escort you and/or your wedding party as you’re introduced into the reception. \n- __Dinner:__ Similarly to cocktail hour, your dinner playlist should mainly focus on pleasant background music that’s easy to talk over. Start building towards more upbeat, danceable tunes towards the end to get folks in the mood for what’s to come. \n- __Special Dances:__ These include specially chosen songs for the first dance, the father/daughter dance, and the mother/son dance. Clearly label and order each of these according to where they appear in the event timeline. \n- __Dance Party:__ The bulk of your focus, the dance party playlist is where the wedding music really needs to shine. Play a variety of songs that will please all of your wedding guests, from young to old, but that also suits the tastes of you and your partner.\n- __After-Party:__ If you’re having an after-party that will involve dancing, keep the good times rolling with lots of deep, dancing cuts. You can skew the playlist to the younger crowd here, as most older folks will have gone home. \n\n### 4. Ask for Guest Input\nA laptop or iPod sitting by itself tends to invite certain “empowered” guests to become hands-on and change up the song choice. One way to avoid this unwanted participation to allow guests to recommend songs or submit preferences ahead of time. The easiest way to do this is through your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website), and it can actually be a fun way to get guests invested in and excited for your upcoming celebration. \n\n### 5. Edit and Fine-Tune \nOnce you have your playlists put together, take the time to listen through them carefully and make revisions as necessary. Listen for the general flow of the energy, particularly for the dancing playlist: you’ll want to have some quiet and romantic moments, some more energetic moments, and to build to a crescendo as the dance party culminates. Weed out any songs that feel jarring or out of place, and reposition songs to create harmonious transitions. \n\nWe also highly suggest you trim down the length of songs to around 2-3 minutes, and cut out any long introductions or dragging moments, which you can do in iTunes. Be sure to also apply the cross-fading function to your playlists, which will automatically ease the transition between songs for you. \n\n### 6. Test It Out \nRunning multiple tests prior to the big day is imperative to avoid regretting your self-DJing efforts. Try out your playlists on your equipment at your venue and check for any audio feedback, poor sound quality, and the overall volume. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, test your setup in both the outdoor locations and the rain-plan locations just in case there’s inclement weather. \n\n### 7. Assign Music Captain/Emcee\nThere’s a difference between DIYing your wedding music, and actually being your own DJ. Save yourself from having to think about musical logistics (when you should be focused on the joy of getting married) by recruiting a “music captain.” On the day of your wedding, this person will be responsible for: \n- Ensuring the sound equipment is ready to go.\n- Relocating the sound equipment throughout the event as necessary.\n- Queing up your various playlists and hitting play, stop, and skip as necessary.\n- Guarding the playing device from rogue guest DJs throughout the evening.\n- It’s ideal if your music captain is tech-savvy and/or has a good working knowledge of music and sound technology. \n\nEven better, if this person is up to the task, have him or her act as emcee for the night. This involves using a microphone to announce when special dances or moments (such as toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, or shuttle departures) are taking place throughout the celebration, and making sure the microphone winds up in the right hands at the right moment. The emcee should have a copy of the event timeline and be familiar with it ahead of time. \n\nIf your music captain isn’t a good candidate for emcee, there’s no harm in having two people serve in these roles. They will work in tandem to make sure your wedding sounds great and flows beautifully. \n\n### 8. Have a Backup Plan\nAll good wedding DIY projects have a backup plan, and wedding DJing is no exception. Even the best-laid musical plans might fail: perhaps bad weather interferes, or your devices batteries aren’t fully charged, or something falls and breaks. Have a backup plan in place for peace of mind that hopefully you won’t have to use, such as the number of a local professional you can call last-minute. It’s also a good idea to write down the locations of a few nearby electronic stores in case you need to send someone for emergency purchases. \n\n### 9. Do a Final Sound Check\nBecause you can never be too prepared, you or your sound captain should try to get to the venue early on the day-of just to do one final sound check before guests arrive. Once it’s go-time, it will be hard to adjust the equipment’s location or settings without disrupting the party flow. \n\n## Tips for Being Your Own Wedding DJ\n### 1. Think Through The Whole Day\nWedding music is necessary for other parts of your wedding day beyond the reception. If you’re going to provide your own music for your ceremony and/or cocktail hour, make sure you have a plan in place for what you need in each location, who will set up and operate the sound equipment in each location, and who will move the equipment to the next location (if necessary). Make sure to test out your playlists and equipment in all locations ahead of time. \n\n## 2. Play Dance Hits\nIf you want your guests to get up on the floor and bust a move, be sure you craft a reception playlist that touches upon many classic dance songs that your guests know and love. Think about weddings where the dance floor was packed and you had a blast dancing: what were the hits? We’re not saying you need to play the “The Electric Slide” or the chicken dance, but be sure to throw in enough crowd-pleasers.\n\n### 3. Play a Variety\nSimilarly, if you want everyone from your little cousin to your grandmother to enjoy the music, consider playing a variety of songs from different genres and time periods. While you might listen exclusively to ‘90s hip hop, EDM, and obscure indie bands, chances are most of your wedding guests won’t share your eclectic musical tastes. Play a variety of popular songs that build in energy and chronology, including some classic, slow-dance ballads, some danceable funk or Motown tunes, and some contemporary pop hits that you can get behind. \n\n### 4. Do a Trial Run\nWe already mentioned this, but we’ll say it again to hammer it home: make sure you test out your equipment and do a trial run of your most important playlists at your venue. You don’t want any surprises on your wedding day. \n\n### 5. Don’t Rely on The Internet\nBe sure you have your playlists downloaded to your music player so that you’re not relying on a wifi connection to play them. While streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music are awesome for general use, your wedding music should be saved (and backed up) on your devices so you can access it regardless of the internet. \n\n### 6. Assign a Music Captain\nYour music captain will take over some of the musical logistics on your wedding day, freeing you up to be in the moment as much as possible. This person will also offer safeguard against well-meaning, but pesky wedding guests who want to take over the dancing playlist. Entrust this role to someone who’s responsible and ideally both musically and technologically savvy.\n\n### 7. Cross-Fade and Cut Your Songs\nThe difference between a professional playlist and an obviously DIY playlist can be found in the gaps or awkward moments between songs. Use crossfade functionality to eliminate long transition between songs, and use iTunes to cut songs down to shorter lengths that match dancers’ attention spans—otherwise, your crowd might lose momentum.\n\n### 8. Use a Wedding DJ App\nThere are several handy apps on the market made specifically for those who want to DJ their own weddings. Check out MyWeddingDJ to see how using the app can streamline your process (and help ease your day-of setup) even further. \n\n### 9. Read The Room\nWhile other people should not mess with your carefully crafted playlist, you and your partner can. If you feel like the energy needs to shift, or you notice people aren’t dancing to certain genres of music, feel free to skip ahead or change your song order to better match the party vibe. The beauty of DJing your own wedding is the freedom you have to change it up (without obsessing, of course). \n\n### 10. Pad Your Playlist By 2 Hours\nRunning out of music is a big no-no, and some portions of the wedding timeline might go on longer than you expect. Be sure you have extra music to fall back on should things run long, if you need to switch up the mood, or if you’re at a venue that will allow you to keep the party going if no one’s ready to call it quits at the appointed end time. \n","tag":"How-To ","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:13.037Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"father-daughter-dance-songs","title":"105 Father-Daughter Dance Songs Ideas for Your Wedding Day ","excerpt":"Check out our Spotify playlist or jump to one of our song sections to find the perfect father daughter dance song for you and your dad.","publishedAt":"2020-09-24T13:34:55.398Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6WezV5PiMrpZnTI7V4Xuwr/aacadcf34c45d0649b647c5e8748ee56/105-Father-Daughter-Dance-Songs-Ideas-for-Your-Wedding-Day.jpg","altText":"dad and daughter smiling at the camera."},"heroCredit":"Unsplash","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com","body":"If you and your dad have a special song that you’ve both loved since you were small, choosing a father-daughter dance song may be a no-brainer. If not, it can be a challenge to find the perfect song to dance to. Finding that ideal choice that is meaningful but not too sappy is a task that can take months. To help inspire some ideas we created this list of 105 father-daughter dance songs.\n\nWhether you’re throwing a country bash or a suit and tie soirée, there is sure to be a song that you and your dad can dance the night away to. Check out our Spotify playlist or jump to one of our song sections below:\n\nUnique Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\n \nModern Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\nUpbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nCountry Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nRock Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nClassic Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nShort Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nFather-Daughter Dance Song Playlist \n\n## Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![01-unique-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7rPz6YjW5hgTRjT0Nu1vuL/30b1b5fe110abe39e4f5506b731c215c/01-unique-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nIf you and your dad want to skip the classics and look for something special, use this list of unique father-daughter dance songs to find something that reflects your relationship. To make your choice easier, look for a song that compliments your wedding style. For example, you are throwing a fancy soiree, choose something like “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. \n\n1. “Home” by Michael Buble\n2. “One Call Away\" by Charlie Puth\n3. “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay\n4. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole\n5. “Sunrise, Sunset” by Fiddler on the Roof\n6. “Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness \n7. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong\n8. “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins\n9. “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke\n10. \"I Lived\" by OneRepublic\n11. “My Little Girl” by Jack Johnson\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke\n\n“If I go a million miles away/I'd write a letter each and every day/'Cause honey, nothin',/Nothin' can ever change this love/I have for you.”\n\n## Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![02-modern-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2vF6lAlGMgUqjQw9Qfqdro/cd6b9b9d700b318032880c5c5f2319d1/02-modern-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nSo many recommended father-daughter dance songs are classics or country. If you’re looking for something modern, choose one of these newer numbers to dance to. For some of the longer or more romantic songs, have your wedding band or DJ customize a mix. This way you and your dad can dance for the perfect amount of time.\n\n12. \"Moon River\" by Frank Ocean\n13. \"How Long Will I Love You\" by Ellie Goulding\n14. “Walk With You” by Edwin McCain\n15. “Your Joy” by Chrisette Michele\n16. “Daughters” by John Mayer \n17. “Love Me Now” by John Legend\n18. “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Amy Winehouse \n19. “Emmylou” by Vance Joy \n20. “I Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera\n21. “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift\n22. “Always Be Your Baby” by Natalie Grant\n23. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"How Long Will I Love You\" by Ellie Goulding\n\n“How long will I love you/As long as stars are above you/And longer if I can.”\n\n## Country Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![03-country-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7r63OeyVW46TlltKasBtgF/6a841007e6cec86670bc0418a60fbe48/03-country-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nFor rustic and barn weddings, a country-themed father-daughter dance song is a perfect choice. If you’re looking for a country or western song, you’re in luck. There are endless options that are ideal for a father-daughter dance. Whether you want a song written to a daughter, or to a father, there is something for everyone.\n\n24. \"Don't Blink\" by Kenny Chesney\n25. \"God Gave Me You\" by Blake Shelton\n26. \"I Loved Her First\" by Heartland\n27. \"It Won't Be Like This for Long\" by Darius Rucker\n28. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts\n29. “He Didn’t Have to Be” by Brad Paisley\n30. “There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney\n31. \"My Little Girl\" by Tim McGraw\n32. \"Wide Open Spaces\" by The Chicks\n33. \"I'll Be There\" by Josh Turner\n34. “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffett\n35. “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice \n36. \"Never Grow Up\" by Taylor Swift\n37. \"Stealing Cinderella\" by Chuck Wicks\n38. \"Just Fishin'\" by Trace Adkins\n39. “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band \n40. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack\n41. “There'll You'll Be” by Faith Hill\n42. \"I'll Be Your Man\" by Zac Brown Band\n43. “Through the Years” by Kenney Rogers\n44. “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins\n45. “All American Girl” by Carrie Underwood \n46. “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw \n47. \"Daddy Dance With Me\" by Krystal Keith\n48. \"Daddy's Hands\" by Holly Dunn\n49. “Dance with My Daughter” by Jason Blaine\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"I'll Be There\" by Josh Turner\n\n“If you need a frown turned to a grin/Or you need a hand just to hold your hand/Need a daddy or you just need a friend/I'll be there.”\n\n## Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3awEZL9OqaRDTkRVSVZY2o/4508e0226f98010b0ca40f4cdd19aa42/04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nThe sweet and slow father-daughter dance doesn’t fit every family. If you have a fun relationship with your dad and you would rather move and groove instead of sway, choose a funky, upbeat song to dance to. Use your wedding theme to guide your decision if you’re stuck between two choices. \n\n50. \"How Sweet It Is\" by James Taylor\n51. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles \n52. \"Dance Like Yo Daddy\" by Meghan Trainor\n53. \"Sweet Child O' Mine\" by Guns N' Roses\n54. “You're My Best Friend” by Queen \n55. \"Come Fly With Me\" by Frank Sinatra\n56. “Cinderella” Steven Curtis Chapman\n57. “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen\n58. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor\n59. \"Glory\" by Jay-Z ft. Blue Ivy\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor\n\n“You just call out my name/And you know wherever I am/I'll come running to see you again, oh baby, don't you know/Winter, spring, summer or fall/Hey now, all you have to do is call/And I'll be there, yes I will.”\n\n## Rock Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\n![05-rock-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6OEZPZQWfMzyEpBG5wH2Ap/62506ab391e5cdb4b48215aea559555b/05-rock-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nIf your childhood is filled with memories of you and your dad belting out the words to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John or \"Brown Eyed Girl\" by Van Morrison, why not dance to it at your wedding? These classic rock choices are a great way to personalize your wedding and honor the memories of your childhood. Plus, these songs are sure to please dads that are classic rock fans.\n\n60. \"She's a Rainbow\" by The Rolling Stones\n61. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin\n62. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel\n63. “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John \n64. \"Wildflowers\" by Tom Petty\n65. “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel\n66. “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison \n67. “I Will Walk With You” by John Fogerty \n68. \"Brown Eyed Girl\" by Van Morrison\n69. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker\n70. “My Darling” by Wilco\n71. “You Got It ” by Roy Orbison\n72. “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish \n73. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles\n74. “Here for You” by Neil Young\n75. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac\n76. \"Father and Daughter\" by Paul Simon\n77. “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders\n78. “How You've Grown” by 10,000 Maniacs\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"Father and Daughter\" by Paul Simon\n\n“I'm gonna watch you shine/Gonna watch you grow/Gonna paint a sign/So you always know/As long as one and one is two/Ooh ooh/There could never be a father/Love his daughter more than I love you”\n\n## Classic Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![06-classsic-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4gaYS04E6ARHDYgxUiUmtj/555af5ee9fac61e73679099f292ec3c6/06-classsic-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nThere is just something magical about a father and daughter swaying to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, or “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle during their wedding reception. These sweet classics are popular for a reason. They do a beautiful job of capturing the love between dad and daughter and provide an excellent backdrop for this special moment. You can’t go wrong with any of these timeless tunes.\n\n79. “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle\n80. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion\n81. \"You Are My Sunshine\" by Johnny Cash\n82. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole\n83. “They Can't Take That Away From Me” by Ella Fitzgerald\n84. “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan\n85. “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross\n86. \"The Way You Look Tonight\" by Frank Sinatra\n87. “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III\n88. “Child of Mine” by Carole King\n89. “It’s For My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra\n90. “Stand By Me” by Ben E King\n91. “One in a Million” by Larry Graham\n92. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards\n93. 93. “Kind & Generous” by Natalie Merchant\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “It's for My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra\n\n“He always was a rock when I needed one/He gave me good advice when I needed some/I want you to know that when It's said and done/He's one of the best friends I ever had.”\n\n## Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![07-short-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3HaE1K44ReleMwVXhSqsDj/4f7403bb731bd70a9f79ca0abf85e15d/07-short-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nSometimes it can feel like the parents’ dances can drag on. If you want to limit your dance, choose one of these songs that pack the sweetest lyrics and beautiful melody all in under two minutes. No matter your wedding theme, there is sure to be one that is meaningful to you and your dad.\n\n94. \"Sweet Pea\" by Amos Lee\n95. \"Daddy's Little Girl\" by Michael Bolton\n96. “Forever ” by The Beach Boys\n97. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys\n98. “Gracie” by Ben Folds\n99. “Stairway to the Stars” by Ella Fitzgerald\n100. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke\n101. “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles\n102. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder\n103. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong\n104. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards\n105. \"My Girl\" by The Temptations\n\n__Our top pick:__ “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles\n\n“Now when you walk (when you walk)/I want to walk with you/When you talk (when you talk)/Want to talk some, too/Now, ain't that love? (ain't that love?)/Oh, ain't that love that I feel (that I feel)/In my heart for you.”\n\nThe processional song, recessional song, and first dance song are so meaningful that making the right choice can be difficult. If you’re having a hard time making a decision, use these songs to find inspiration. If you want to take a listen, visit our Spotify playlist below. Listen through some of these modern, unique, and classic songs to choose the perfect option to dance with your dad.\n\n \n\n","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:08.910Z"}],"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music","description":"Your guide to wedding bands, DJs and music. Find the perfects tunes for every moment of your wedding from entrance songs to the last-dance. Whether you hire a live band or have a family member DJ, we help you get everything in order to dance the night away!"},"topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors","description":"If you need help choosing a wedding venue or hiring your wedding vendors, you've come to the right place. Find advice and tips on wedding photography and videography, catering and food, bar services and drinks, music and more. We guide you as you create your wedding dream team.","subtopics":[{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Wedding venues","slug":"wedding-venues","description":"Choosing a wedding venue is an imporant part of planning your wedding-- many other decisions can't be made until you know where you'll say \"I do\". If you don't know where to start or are having trouble making a decision we have ideas, inspiration, and advice to help you land on the perfect place."},{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Photos & video","slug":"photos-video","description":"Wedding photography and videography lets you capture the memories for years to come. From engagement photo shoots to choosing the right wedding photographer to social media content curation, find the advice and inspiration you need to document the wedding of your dreams."},{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Food & catering","slug":"food-catering","description":"Advice and tips to find the perfect food and drinks to serve at your wedding. Whether you're looking for advice on choosing a wedding caterer, crafting a seasonal offering, or budget friendly options, find the inspiration you need to create the perfect menu!"},{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Florists & flowers","slug":"florists-flowers","description":"Your guide to wedding florists and flowers. Find inspiration for the perfect bouquet, flower adornments and everything in between. We help you plan and budget for the wedding blooms of your dreams."},{"featuredArticles":[{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"wedding-party-entrance-songs","title":"188 Best Wedding Party Entrance Songs to Get the Party Started","excerpt":"Feel on top of the world with our list of wedding party entrance songs. Create an unforgettable wedding entrance soundtrack leading up to your big moment.","publishedAt":"2024-11-08T12:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2TgB1awivvyJuy3OQcbN2j/a44ab25849327dd808935b2beb5e29d1/Wedding_Party_Entrance_Songs_Groomsmen.jpg","altText":"Newlyweds dancing inside of their wedding reception venue with bride wearing flower crown"},"heroCredit":"Mixlux","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/eventsmith-boston","tldr":"__Inside this article:__ \n- Is there a wrong way to do a grand entrance?\n- Best wedding party songs using trends and hits\n- Upbeat wedding entrance songs\n- Rock wedding walk-out songs\n- Rap and hip-hop wedding party entrance songs\n- Country wedding party songs\n- Fun wedding introduction songs\n- Unique wedding reception entrance songs\n- Wedding entrance songs for parents\n- Favorite wedding party entrance songs to get the crowd pumped\n- Wedding party entrance songs FAQ\n","body":"__TLDR:__\n- Choosing the right song can set the tone for your wedding reception and encourage everyone from your wedding party to parents display their personality.\n- Every genre from country or hip-hop to unique and trendy can be appropriate to announce your attendants and others at the reception.\n- Choose songs that reflect your style and feel free to use different songs for each group, person, or couple entering.\n\n## Let's get this (wedding) party started!\n\n[Planning your wedding reception](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-reception-timeline) is one of the more fun parts of wedding prep—it’s a joyful time of kicking off your [newlywed](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/newlywed-game-questions) status and celebrating with your nearest and dearest. The music you choose for your reception plays a huge part in setting the tone for the evening, especially when it comes to introducing your attendants. That’s just one reason wedding party entrance songs are so important to your big day. \n\nIf you’re trying to choose the perfect song to play as you announce your wedding party into the reception room, we’ve got you covered, and so do our experts. Whether you’re looking for fun songs to shine the spotlight on your wedding party or the perfect tune to play during your first entrance as newlyweds, our list of best wedding entrance songs spans all genres. \n\nHowever, there are other occasions when [these tunes](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-recessional-songs) would be a great fit. From grand entrance songs to [wedding processional songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-processional-order), this list contains fabulous music to include throughout your special day. Need more songs to round out your wedding playlists? Head to our list of [300+ best wedding songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/best-wedding-songs) for each moment of the day.\n\n![country-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/uIFmAIH5ESr0xHOTwuk3B/b53bbeee01225030bd8eac6844c8d312/country-songs.jpg)\n\n## Ask the expert: Is there a wrong way to do a grand entrance? \nBefore we get started, we asked Wes Echols, co-owner of [Ace Wedding DJs](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/ace-wedding-djs), to offer expert advice to help Zola's couples. \"I wouldn't say there is a wrong way to do a grand entrance but there is certainly a worst way to do it,\" he says. Often, he is faced with receiving a list of songs for each entering duo, and while couples have their ideas, the result can be chaos. \n\n\"We know that couples mean well and want their closest friends to be able to choose songs that reflect the personalities of each pairing,\" says Echols. \"However, in effect, this takes a grand entrance which is typically quick, climatic, and high energy and turns it into a long, awkward, anticlimactic, and confusing slurry of names, dead air, and very short snippets of the names and songs.\"\n\nThe result? Often times the excitement wanes and can cause confusion, especially if the couple or DJ doesn't preset the songs. \"The DJ must cue the song, get it to the right timestamp, fade up the song, announce the pairing, fade down the song, cue the next song, get it to the right spot and so on, all while making sure to get names and pronunciations correct,\" adds Echols, while also citing that doing this creates a nearly impossible task.\n\nInstead of causing stress for yourselves or your DJ, Echols recommends working with your DJ or enlisting a music-production-savvy friend to premake a mashup for the wedding day. Another option is to have one song for the wedding party, another for parents and grandparents, and a final song for the newlyweds. \n\n![Ace Wedding DJs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7z2kOcxs7J6bOdtZjpEy6Y/f0ead38f202a3f3f39a52afc5981424f/Ace_Wedding_DJs.jpg) Photo: [Ace Wedding DJs](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/ace-wedding-djs)\n\nNow, on to our list...\n\n## Best wedding party songs using trends and hits \n\nYour wedding party has stood by your side from the moment you got engaged, so choosing the perfect songs for entering the reception is a must! Here are our picks of fail-proof reception entrance songs to get the party started.\n\n1. Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars\n2. Can’t Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake\n3. Sugar — Maroon 5\n4. Dynamite — Taio Cruz\n5. 24K Magic — Bruno Mars\n6. Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah) — Andy Grammer\n7. About Damn Time — Lizzo\n8. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) — Elton John, Dua Lipa\n9. STAY — The Kid LAROI\n10. Watermelon Sugar — Harry Styles\n11. Where Are You Now — Lost Frequencies, Calum Scott\n12. Woman — Doja Cat\n13. INDUSTRY BABY — Lil Nas X\n14. As It Was — Harry Styles\n15. Good 4 U — Olivia Rodrigo\n16. My House — Flo Rida\n17. Happy — Pharrell Williams\n18. Where Are Ü Now (ft. Justin Bieber) — Jack Ü\n19. Shut Up and Dance — Walk the Moon\n20. This Is What You Came For (ft. Rihanna) — Calvin Harris\n21. Mess is Mine - Vance Joy\n22. I Choose You - Forest Blakk\n23. You’re Still the One (Remastered)- Shania Twain\n\n*Zola Favorite: Can't Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, released 2016* We here at Zola love this catchy tune, as do many couples. Not only is it fun, but it can set the tone and let folks dance and let loose as they enter your wedding reception.\n\n## Upbeat wedding entrance songs \n\nSearching for bridal party entrance songs that can get everyone on their feet cheering? This list of the best walk out songs with a catchy beat will help get the reception flowing and set an uplifting tone. \n\n24. Got My Mind Set on You — George Harrison\n25. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell\n26. My Type — Saint Motel\n27. Kids — MGMT\n28. Accidentally in Love — Counting Crows\n29. Love Me Like You Do — Ellie Goulding\n30. All You Need Is Love — The Beatles\n31. Beautiful Day — U2\n32. Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby — Barry White\n33. Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen\n34. For Once in My Life — Stevie Wonder\n35. How Sweet It Is — Michael Bublé\n36. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) — Stevie Wonder\n37. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole\n38. Walking on Sunshine — Katrina and the Waves\n39. You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne\n40. You Make My Dreams (Come True) — Hall & Oates\n41. We Found Love — Rihanna\n42. Best Day of My Life — American Authors\n43. A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay\n44. Candy - Paolo Nutini\n45. Believe - Cher\n\n*Zola Favorite: Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen, released 1979* Not only is Queen a beloved band for their classical tunes, but the experts here at Zola know this song will be familiar to all. From grandparents to the younger set, it's easily recognizable and one of the most fun wedding party entrance songs.\n\n## Rock wedding walk-out songs \n\nThe rock genre definitely qualifies if you’re looking for badass entrance songs. The best part is that many of these walkout songs are familiar to everyone, from your grandparents to your nieces and nephews. They’re hits for a reason, which is why they’re all popular wedding party introduction songs.\n\n46. Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand\n47. I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys\n48. On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons\n49. Back in Black — AC/DC\n50. Bad To The Bone — George Thorogood and the Destroyers\n51. Enter Sandman — Metallica\n52. Eye of the Tiger — Survivor\n53. Howlin’ For You — The Black Keys\n54. I Got You (I Feel Good) — James Brown and the Famous Flames\n55. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses\n56. Thunderstruck — AC/DC\n57. Walk This Way — Aerosmith\n58. We Will Rock You — Queen\n59. All My Friends — LCD Soundsystem\n60. I Believe in a Thing Called Love — The Darkness\n61. No One Like You — Scorpions\n62. Welcome to the Jungle — Guns N’ Roses\n63. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing — Aerosmith\n64. Love Will Keep Us Alive — The Eagles\n\n*Zola Favorite: On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons, released 2012* If there's any day you'll feel great about, you should feel on top of the world during your big moment. Plus, our Zola experts think that this song is popular for a reason—the catchy tune gets everyone's attention!\n\n## Rap and hip-hop wedding party entrance songs \n\nIf you crave a totally party-ish vibe, then ponder these hip-hop and rap wedding reception entrance songs. From classic favorites to newer staples, just imagine your attendants rocking out to these wedding party intro songs. How fun! \n\n65. I Gotta Feeling — Black Eyed Peas\n66. Who’s That Chick? (ft. Rihanna) — David Guetta\n67. All I Do Is Win (ft. T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross) — DJ Khaled\n68. Bring Em Out — T.I.\n69. Let’s Get It Started — Black Eyed Peas\n70. All of the Lights (ft. Rihanna) — Kanye West\n71. Big Pimpin’/Papercut — Jay-Z, Linkin Park\n72. Don’t Stop the Party — Pitbull\n73. Jump Around — House of Pain\n74. Mo Money Mo Problems — The Notorious B.I.G.\n75. Sexy and I Know It — LMFAO\n76. Timber (ft. Kesha) — Pitbull\n77. Turn Down for What — DJ Snake, Lil Jon\n78. U Can't Touch This — MC Hammer\n79. Yeah! — Usher\n80. Paper Planes — M.I.A.\n81. Touch the Sky (ft. Lupe Fiasco) — Kanye West\n82. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love (ft. Pitbull) — Usher\n83. Without You (ft. Usher) — David Guetta\n84. Let’s Get Ready to Rhumble — PJ & Duncan\n\n*Zola Favorite: Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO, 2011* Looking for a tongue-in-cheek song that will make everyone smile? Our Zola experts think this popular tune will do the trick. Imagine groomsmen or a fun set of grandparents making their wedding entrance to it.\n\n![Bride and Groom Wedding Entrance via MikeMusic in NYC](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/5ya7BxPqzal6TV6XwGYRMi/034568bded5daca57df3ffc03d9d6f70/Bride_and_Groom_Wedding_Entrance_via_MikeMusic_in_NYC.jpg)\nPhoto via [MikeMusic](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs/mikemusic)\n\n## Country wedding party songs \n\nWant a little twang in your step? Then take a look at these country wedding party entrance songs. They’ll have everyone clapping and stomping their feet as your attendants come inside.\n\n85. Me and My Gang — Rascal Flatts\n86. S.O.B. — Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats\n87. Party People — Florida Georgia Line\n88. Love Story — Taylor Swift\n89. Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker\n90. You Can’t Stop Me (ft. Thomas Rhett) — Brett Eldredge\n91. Here for the Party — Gretchen Wilson\n92. Setting the World on Fire — Kenny Chesney\n93. Love Bug — George Strait\n94. Fancy Like — Walker Hayes\n95. Lil Bit — Nelly, Florida Georgia Line\n96. Beers and Sunshine — Darius Rucker\n97. She’s With Me — High Valley\n98. Head Over Boots — Jon Pardi\n99. My Kinda Party — Jason Aldean\n100. Ain’t Goin’ Down (Til the Sun Comes Up) — Garth Brooks\n101. Good Times Roll — Jimmie Allen, Nelly\n102. Chasing Down a Good Time — Randy Houser\n103. Life Is a Highway — Rascal Flatts\n104. Texas Hold ‘Em - Beyoncé\n105. Ok Cowboy - Catie Offerman\n\n*Zola Favorite: Lil Bit by Nelly, Florida Georgia Line, released 2021* Sometimes it's hard to have a song that will make everyone happy. However, Zola experts say this one will satisfy both country and hip-hop fans. What a win-win. \n\n## Fun wedding introduction songs \n\nStart off your wedding reception on a jovial note with some of the happiest tunes around. These bridal party entrance songs are sure to have everyone smiling and welcoming your wedding party. You can even use these as [funny wedding bouquet toss songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/15-funny-bouquet-toss-songs)—the sky’s the limit!\n\n106. Hey Ya! — OutKast\n107. Firework — Katy Perry\n108. Raise Your Glass — Pink\n109. Just Dance — Lady Gaga\n110. Forever — Chris Brown\n111. Crazy in Love (ft. Jay-Z) — Beyonce\n112. I Would Die 4 U — Prince\n113. Love Shack — The B-52’s\n114. You Can’t Stop the Beat — Elijah Kelley, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Nikki Blonsky, Zac Efron, Amanda Bynes\n115. Hung Up — Madonna\n116. I Will Survive — Gloria Gaynor\n117. Let’s Groove — Earth, Wind & Fire\n118. Whoomp! (There It Is) — Tag Team\n119. SexyBack (ft. Timbaland) — Justin Timberlake\n120. Another One Bites the Dust — Queen\n121. Beat It — Michael Jackson\n122. Bust a Move — Young MC\n123. Can’t Hold Us (ft. Ray Dalton) — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis\n124. Everybody (Backstreet’s Back) — Backstreet Boys\n125. Everytime We Touch — Cascada\n126. Feel So Close — Calvin Harris\n127. Feel This Moment — Pitbull\n128. Get Lucky — Daft Punk\n129. Glad You Came — The Wanted\n130. Good Feeling — Flo Rida\n\n*Zola Favorite: Raise Your Glass by Pink, released 2010* We here at Zola think this song is perfect for anyone who has overcome adversity. It's also a great wedding reception entrance song for bridesmaids as no one does power anthems better than Pink, right?\n\n## Unique wedding reception entrance songs \n\nBreak from the norm and choose something unique for you and your attendants to enter the reception. These wedding party songs are unexpected yet appropriate to start your post-wedding celebration. \n\n131. Dance With Me Tonight — Olly Murs\n132. Dog Days Are Over — Florence + the Machine\n133. Electric Feel — MGMT\n134. Good Life — Kanye West\n135. I’m Coming Out — Diana Ross\n136. Good Vibrations — The Beach Boys\n137. Space Jam — Quad City DJ’s\n138. Take On Me — A-ha\n139. What I Like About You — The Romantics\n140. Hell Yes — Beck\n141. Sweet Disposition — The Temper Trap\n142. Could You Be Loved — Bob Marley and the Wailers\n143. Get the Party Started — Pink\n144. Higher Love — Kygo, Whitney Houston\n145. Seeing Stars — Børns\n\n*Zola Favorite: I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross, 1980* What better song to come out for a wedding reception? Although Zola experts agree this tune is also fun for same-sex couples or anyone who wants a strong entrance.\n\n## Wedding entrance songs for parents \n\nWhile your mind may be on groomsmen and bridesmaid entrance songs, don’t forget about mom and dad! If you want them to enter the reception in style, select one of the wedding party songs below. \n\n146. This Is How We Do It — Montell Jordan \n147. We Are Family — Sister Sledge\n148. You’ve Got the Love — Florence + the Machine\n149. Celebration — Kool & the Gang\n150. Raise Your Glass — Pink\n151. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond\n152. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey\n153. Born To Be Wild — Steppenwolf\n154. Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough — Michael Jackson\n155. Walk This Way — Aerosmith\n156. Jump — Van Halen\n157. Respect — Aretha Franklin\n158. It Takes Two — Rob Base\n159. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison\n\n*Zola Favorite: Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, released 1969* We here at Team Zola enjoy any songs that bring generations together. Not only does Sweet Caroline get everyone on the dance floor, but it's perfect to grab attention during the wedding party entrance.\n\n## Favorite songs to get the crowd pumped \n\nWhat's better than hearing from newlyweds who have already had their wedding receptions or nearlyweds who are getting ready to celebrate? That's what we here at Zola thought, too. So, in September of 2024, Zola polled 4000 nearlywed couples and 1,500 recently married Zola couples to find out some tried-and-true favorite wedding party entrance songs. You may see some repeats on here, but we wanted you to know that these have the seal of approval from real life Zola couples.\n\nFavorites that nearlyweds are planning to use as their song to enter:\n\n160. Kiss Me — Sixpence None the Richer\n161. Vermilion — Slipknot \n162. Fantasy — Mariah Carey\n163. These Words — Natasha Beddingfield ft. Badger (remix) \n164. Pump it Up — Endor \n165. Hot to Go — Chappell Roan\n166. Narco — Timmy Trumpet\n167. Love Tonight — (DJ Baur Remix)\n168. Wifey — Next\n169. Signed, Sealed, Delivered — Stevie Wonder\n170. September — Earth, Wind, Fire (for September brides!!)\n171. Kickstart my Heart — Motley Crew\n\nSongs that Zola's newlyweds used as their wedding entrance song:\n\n172. Forever - Chris Brown\n173. Crazy in Love - Beyoncé (and Jay Z)\n174. Signed, Sealed, Delivered - Stevie Wonder\n175. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) - Natalie Cole\n176. September - Earth, Wind & Fire\n177. You Make My Dreams Come True - Hall & Oates\n178. At Last - Etta James\n179. Levels - Avicii\n180. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! - ABBA\n181. Public Service Announcement - Jay Z\n\nAnd here are a few favorites with a bit extra: A reason why it was a hit (pun intended!)\n\n182. Waterloo — Abba \"We went to see Mamma Mia on Broadway for one of our first dates. Using 'Waterloo' as our processional song is a fun, upbeat ode to our journey to the altar.\" Lauren from Amarillo, Texas\n183. You Make My Dreams Come True — Hall & Oates \"It’s such a light, fun song that appeals to both young and older listeners. And of course, walking down the aisle with your partner is a DREAM come true!!\" Madi from Indianapolis, Indiana\n184. Feel So Close — Calvin Harris \"This is such a nostalgic vibe. It takes you right back to feeling young and carefree, which makes it perfect for a wedding entrance. The way the beat builds up is just epic, giving that rush of excitement as you walk out. It’s got that upbeat energy that makes you feel alive and ready to celebrate the moment with everyone.\" Kathleen from Lyndhurst, NJ\n185. Treasure — Bruno Mars \"We’re using it as our entrance song, and it has such a good beat and rhythm that anyone would want to dance to or even sing to!\" Christina N, Long Island City, New York\n186. Celebration — KC &The Sunshine Band \"The wedding party, cocktail girl, and our parents walked down the aisle to 'Celebration' by Kool & The Gang. They all danced down the aisle which made for some fun action photos.\" Miranda from Long Beach, California\n187. Get Down Tonight — KC &The Sunshine Band \"For the grand entrance to our reception, our wedding party entered to 'Get Down Tonight' by KC & The Sunshine Band. They walked in dancing getting the energy up for our guests.\" Miranda from Long Beach, California\n\nAnd for one last check-in our DJ expert recounts his most recent favorite wedding party entrance song moment. \"The Groom is big into dirt biking and motocross and the best man wanted to incorporate this into the entrance,\" recalls Echols. \"The best man, Parker, hired a motocross PA announcer on Cameo to record their voice announcing the bridal party. The bride and groom chose the bridal party song (Kickstart my Heart - Motley Crue) and the bride and groom song (Family Affair - Mary J. Blige—which makes our 188th suggestion!). I took the vocal recording and edited a mix to combine the Cameo and songs into a .wav file.\" That sounds so creative, and what a fun surprise for the groom! \n\n## Wedding party entrance songs FAQ \n\n- __How do I choose a reception entrance song?__ Find one that suits your style and speaks to you as a couple. And use our list, of course! Everything from Set the Feeling by Justin Timberlake to Love Shack by The B-52's can work.\n- __What are good entrance songs for a wedding?__ The list above is a jumping-off point, but also use one that sets the tone you want to convey at your wedding reception. Shut Up and Dance (Walk the Moon) is popular as are classics by Kenny Loggins and Michael Jackson.\n- __How long should a wedding party entrance song be?__ The song should cover the amount of time necessary to announce your wedding party. Plus, don’t feel like you have to play the entire song. For example, using Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen may get a little lengthy for a couple, but could be an appropriate length for a wedding party entrance.\n- __How many songs do you need for a wedding entrance?__ That depends. Some couples choose to have a different song for each bridal party member, but that’s a lot of ground to cover. To make it simple, choose two—one for your attendants and a separate one to announce you as a newly married couple. Add in a third if you’re including parents and grandparents in the mix. Songs like Walking on Sunshine or One Kiss (by Calvin Harris) can leave everyone feeling good and ready to get the party started on the dance floor.\n- __What do wedding vendors think is the best song to get everyone moving?__ In a September 2024 survey of over 1,300 wedding vendors, we asked their top tune pick for the dance floor—which of course, you can use as an entrance song—they said, \"The #1 wedding song that will get all of us - couples and vendors alike - on the dance floor is I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Whitney Houston.\"\n\nFeel on top of the world as your dreams come true on your wedding day. These wedding party entrance songs can set the mood and leave everyone feeling good as you lead up to your big moment. Still craving wedding advice and [checklists](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist) beyond bridal party entrance songs? From [wedding party processional songs](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-wedding-processional-songs) to general wedding ceremony songs, Zola has you covered. Of course, your [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-dj-checklist) or band can also help with your selections, and you can find vetted, local-to-you [music services on Zola](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-bands-djs), too. ","updatedAt":"2024-11-08T17:25:56.620Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"best-wedding-songs","title":"300 Best Wedding Songs for Each Moment of your Wedding Day","excerpt":"Explore a curated collection of songs for every moment, from the ceremony to the reception, make sure each part of your special day is filled with music and emotion.","publishedAt":"2022-05-25T22:34:03.556Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4Awof6509XGZFsc5K2GCUC/21fe8ba7b5d834a1a5812f74ceaaff16/best-wedding-songs.jpg","altText":"Couple dancing at wedding reception"},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/","body":"An epic event like your wedding day calls for an equally epic playlist—from the moment you walk down the aisle to when you and your guests fill the reception dance floor, your music sets the tone for the day’s events. But with countless classic hits, chart toppers, and love anthems to choose from, picking the best wedding songs can feel overwhelming. \n\nIf you’ve been to your fair share of weddings, you’re probably familiar with the number one wedding song—the romantic ballad *All of Me* by John Legend—along with some of these popular wedding songs: \n\nThinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran \nA Thousand Years — Christina Perri \nAt Last — Etta James \nMarry Me — Train \nCan’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley \n\nBut if you’re looking for a deeper dive into some musical inspiration, we’ve compiled the best wedding songs for every moment of the big day—from the ceremony and cocktail hour to your first dance and reception. We’ve also included the best wedding songs by genre to align with music tastes of all kinds! \n\n### Table of Contents\n\n__Wedding Songs by Activity__\n- Songs for the Bachelor Party\n- Songs to Get Ready To\n- Cocktail Hour Songs\n- Wedding Processional Songs\n- Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To \n- Wedding Ceremony Songs\n- Wedding Recessional Songs\n- Wedding Party Entrance Songs\n- Newlywed Entrance Songs\n- First Dance Songs\n- Parent Dance Songs\n- Reception Songs to Dance To\n\n__Wedding Songs by Genre__\n- Modern Wedding Songs\n- Country Wedding Songs\n- Christian Wedding Songs\n- R&B Wedding Songs\n- Classic Wedding Songs\n- Fun Wedding Songs\n- Indie Wedding Songs\n- Gospel Wedding Songs\n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Activity\nYour wedding day will include [a variety of different moments and activities](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/ultimate-wedding-weekend-timeline), each calling for its own type of music (ie. you wouldn't use the same tunes from your getting ready playlist for your wedding processional music!). Browse the list below for the best wedding songs for every moment of your big day, from walking down the aisle to the best reception songs to dance to. \n\n### Songs for the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party \nThis might be a pre-wedding activity, but an epic bash like your [bachelor or bachelorette party](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/joint-bachelor-bachelorette-party-games) calls for an equally epic playlist. Head straight to Zola’s [Ultimate Bach Party playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1) on Spotify to listen to our carefully curated picks, or dive into the following song ideas for some extra inspiration. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Ultimate Bach Party](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3kYACqetCCPmGevpbIOw7e?si=d3bb4984a8bd4bf7&nd=1)\n\n![bach-party-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4HfJhStnKrZtXA9VlDVMpF/197a75c34339b09892ccf5be57c3193b/bach-party-songs.jpg)\n\n1. First Class — Jack Harlow\n2. Ferrari — James Hype\n3. Work — Rihanna\n4. Sorry — Justin Bieber\n5. Me, Myself & I — G-Eazy\n6. Roses — The Chainsmokers\n7. Hands to Myself — Selena Gomez\n8. Fast Car — Jonas Blue\n9. Stay — Kygo\n10. My House — Flo Rida\n11. Bang My Head — David Guetta\n12. Sugar — Robin Shulz\n13. Lean On — Major Lazer\n14. I’M ON ONE — Drake\n15. All My Friends — Snakehips\n16. On My Mind — Ellie Goulding\n17. Where Are Ü Now — Jack Ü\n18. How Deep Is Your Love — Calvin Harris\n19. The Sound — The 1975\n20. Middle — DJ Snake\n21. Love Myself — Hailee Steinfeld\n22. Be Right There — Diplo\n23. Focus — Ariana Grande\n24. Desperado — Rihanna \n25. Waiting for Love — Avicii \n\n\n### Songs to Get Ready To \nThe morning of your wedding is filled with excitement and anticipation, which calls for the perfect playlist to help shake off any jitters and set the tone for the day ahead. This mix of upbeat hits and nostalgic love anthems spans all decades and genres, and is sure to keep spirits high all morning long! \n\n![getting-ready-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2N2ZiONzo0gZfLUVhpVjMv/298e4d7d08f5d09561ee0842fb966e02/getting-ready-songs.jpg)\n\n26. Marry You — Bruno Mars\n27. The Cure — Lady Gaga\n28. A Moment Like This — Leona Lewis\n29. Chapel of Love — The Dixie Cups\n30. Love On Top — Beyoncé\n31. Levitating — Dua Lipa ft. DaBaby\n32. It Wasn’t Me — Shaggy ft. Rik Rok\n33. Shut Up and Dance — Walk the Moon\n34. Love Story — Taylor Swift\n35. Run the World (Girls) — Beyoncé\n36. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! — ABBA\n37. These Words — Natasha Bedingfield \n38. All You Need Is Love — The Beatles\n39. We Found Love — Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris\n40. Oh, Pretty Woman — Roy Orbison \n41. You’ve Got the Love — Florence + The Machine\n42. Rather Be — Clean Bandit ft. Jess Glynne\n43. I Do — Colbie Caillat \n44. Respect — Aretha Franklin \n45. Baila Conmigo — Selena Gomez\n46. Love Yourself — Justin Bieber\n47. Ain’t No Other Man — Christina Aguilera \n48. Anywhere — Rita Ora\n49. I Say A Little Prayer — Aretha Franklin\n50. White Wedding — Billy Idol \n\n\n### Wedding Processional Songs\n\nThe [wedding processional](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-processional-order) marks the beginning of the ceremony, when your family members, wedding parties, and/or flower girls and ring bearers make their way down the aisle. If you’ll have background music playing as guests are arriving, you’ll want to clearly differentiate your processional music as a signal that the wedding is beginning. \n\nWhether you choose a traditional hymn or your favorite pop tune, your processional music is entirely up to you—browse Zola’s curated Spotify playlist or choose from our selection of soft instrumentals and upbeat, whimsical tunes below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Processional Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6HHY2UH9yb6lZOu3TbstSW?si=9b42439ea4634558)\n\n51. Canon in D (Pachelbel’s Canon) — Brooklyn Duo \n52. Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World — Israel Kamakawiwo'ole\n53. A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) — The Piano Guys\n54. A Day Without Rain — Enya\n55. Marry Me — United Guitar Players\n56. Feels Like Home — Edwina Hayes\n57. Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley) — Vitamin String Quartet \n58. A Million Dreams (The Greatest Showman) — Taylor Davis\n59. XO (Beyoncé) — Midnite String Quartet \n60. Beyond — Leon Bridges\n61. Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles\n62. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n63. Sea of Love — Cat Power\n64. Largo (From “Xerxes”) — Handel\n65. Higher Love — James Vincent McMorrow\n66. Begin Again — Piano Tribute Players\n67. Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran) — Vesislava \n68. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You — Trio Comodo\n69. All I Want Is You (U2) — Bridesmaids Quartet \n70. Light My Fire — Threeds\n71. First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes\n72. Collide — Tiana Major9\n73. We Could Happen — AJ Rafael\n74. Hoppípolla — Sigur Rós\n75. This Feeling — Alabama Shakes\n\n\n### Songs to Walk Down the Aisle To\nThe song you walk down the aisle to sets the tone for your special day, and is an opportunity to choose something personal and meaningful to both you and your partner. While you might choose to keep your processional music the same for walking down the aisle, many couples prefer to select a different tune for the aisle moment. Check out our collection of romantic and uplifting songs that are sure to tug on heartstrings and make this moment a special one. \n\n![walk-down-aisle-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4b84od7IWvJapb34xtYBBd/219f95c080c4094a2ca21d9393d42a77/walk-down-aisle-songs.jpg)\n\n76. Bridal Chorus — Richard Wagner\n77. All of Me (John Legend) — Daniel Jang\n78. Hallelujah — Vitamin String Quartet \n79. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Haley Reinhart\n80. Wedding March — Mendelssohn \n81. Despacito (Luis Fonsi) — Brooklyn Duo \n82. A Sky Full of Stars — The Piano Guys\n83. Amazing Grace — Bridesmaids Quartet \n84. Come Away With Me — Vitamin String Quartet \n85. Forever — Josh Vietti \n\n \n### Wedding Ceremony Songs\nThere are countless opportunities to set the mood with music on your wedding day, and the [wedding ceremony](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/a-guide-to-wedding-ceremony-programs) itself is one of them! While some couples prefer to cut the music once they’re joined together at the altar, some opt to play soft instrumental music during the ceremony to add more depth to the moment. Find some of our favorite instrumental tunes for your ceremony below. \n\n![wedding-ceremony-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7b4hCQGO7uVKySNDbx7cUr/330dd75bbf9250fec414d06a32ba71a4/wedding-ceremony-songs.jpg)\n\n86. The Secret Wedding (From “Braveheart”) — David Arkenstone ft. Kathleen Fisher\n87. Hampshire — Adrian Johnston\n88. Wedding — Frederic Chopin \n89. Sicilienne — Maria Theresia von Paradis\n90. The Meeting — John Powell\n91. Attraversiamo — Dario Marianelli\n92. Your Song — United Guitar Players \n93. Have I Told You Lately That I Love You — United Guitar Players\n94. Rhythm of Love — Bridesmaids Quartet \n95. And I Love Her — George Martin \n\n\n### Wedding Recessional Songs\nYour wedding recessional—otherwise known as your wedding exit—is the moment when you and your partner walk back down the aisle as newlyweds, followed by the wedding party and guests. Your recessional song selection should reflect the joy and excitement of what just took place and set the tone for the reception to follow. Browse our list of celebratory tunes to make your grand exit with! \n\n![wedding-reccesional-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3EKUBK1sFplsKanyL3LOwh/3ce2dc11b0c83f9b6db5f5f3d3f794aa/wedding-reccesional-songs.jpg)\n\n96. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours) — Stevie Wonder\n97. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough — Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell\n98. Accidentally In Love — Counting Crows\n99. For Once in My Life — Stevie Wonder\n100. Crazy Little Thing Called Love — Queen\n101. Wedding Day — Bee Gees\n102. My Sweet Lord — George Harrison \n103. Adore You — Harry Styles\n104. Happy — Pharell Williams\n105. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n106. Outro — M83\n107. We Go Together — John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (Greece) \n108. Walking On a Dream — Empire of the Sun\n109. Beautiful Day — U2\n110. Never Going Back Again — Fleetwood Mac\n\n\n### Cocktail Hour Songs\nIf you’re hosting a cocktail hour—the roughly hour-long break between the ceremony and the reception—a feel-good playlist that primes your guests for the party to come is a must. Keep your song choices light and uplifting for guests to enjoy while they mingle, and save the high-energy dance tunes until you hit the dance floor. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Cocktail Hour Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aNDsmjTPra2JxdebNW5Co)\n\n111. Here Comes the Sun — Nina Simone \n112. Home — Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros\n113. Stubborn Love — The Lumineers\n114. Easy Living — Billie Holiday\n115. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat\n116. Sway — Michael Bublé\n117. Rhythm of Love — Plain White T’s\n118. Fever — Peggy Lee\n119. I Feel It Coming — The Weeknd ft. Daft Punk\n120. Let’s Fall In Love — Diana Krall\n121. At Last — Etta James\n122. The Way You Look Tonight — Tony Bennett\n123. Love Like This — Natasha Bedingfield \n124. Red Dirt Road — Brooks & Dunn\n125. Misty — Johnny Mathis\n\n\n### Wedding Party Entrance Songs\nYour guests will be looking forward to the reception once the ceremony and cocktail hour conclude, and what better way to kick things off than with a few epic entrance songs? Your wedding party entrance song calls for high-energy, celebratory tunes—here are some of our favorites.\n\n126. Can’t Stop the Feeling — Justin Timberlake\n127. Take Me Out — Franz Ferdinand \n128. I Bet You Look Good On the Dancefloor — Arctic Monkeys\n129. Hey Ya! — OutKast\n130. I Gotta Feeling — The Black Eyed Peas\n131. Firework — Katy Perry\n132. Raise Your Glass — P!nk\n133. Sugar — Maroon 5\n134. Just Dance — Lady Gaga\n135. Dynamite — Tai Cruz\n\n\n### Newlywed Entrance Songs\nA moment like your first official appearance as newlyweds calls for the perfect entrance song. Whether you go for something loud and goofy or romantic and special, the following songs are guaranteed to make your reception kickoff memorable. \n\n136. Love Me Like You Do — Ellie Goulding\n137. Rollercoaster — Bleachers\n138. SexyBack — Justin Timberlake\n139. Everything Is Awesome — Tegan and Sara\n140. Starving — Hailee Steinfeld \n141. Let’s Get It Started — The Black Eyed Peas\n142. 24K Magic — Bruno Mars\n143. On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons\n144. Bring Em Out — T.I. ft Swizz Beatz\n145. Seeing Stars — Børns\n\n\n### First Dance Songs\nYou might be dancing in front of a crowd, but your first dance song should be one that’s personal to you and your partner. Keep reading for more of our favorite picks. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [First Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0EUEA6w29lAdpY0RDztFPV)\n\n![first-dance-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/21xYlhKWr4em2SPrld4q0Z/9c3cd01ddcb4d7899dd888ad80c2bc52/first-dance-songs.jpg)\n\n146. Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran\n147. You Are the Best Thing — Ray LaMontagne\n148. Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley\n149. Sweetest Devotion — Adele\n150. I Will — The Beatles \n151. It Had to be You — Dooley Wilson \n152. Sparks — Coldplay\n153. Stay In My Corner — The Arcs\n154. The Best Is Yet to Come — Frank Sinatra \n155. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n\n\n### Parent Dance Songs\n[Parent dances](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/father-daughter-dance-songs) are an incredibly touching moment of the wedding day, but choosing the right song can be tough. It helps to reflect on your relationship with the parent you’ll be dancing with—what matters most is choosing a song that represents the bond you share. Browse our picks for sweet and sentimental songs below. \n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Parent Dance Songs](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LvtOMWSgomb0vfKYtUtVr)\n\n156. What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong\n157. Your Song — Elton John\n158. Gracie — Ben Folds\n159. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison\n160. Isn’t She Lovely — Stevie Wonder\n161. It’s For My Dad — Nancy Sinatra\n162. My Wish — Rascal Flatts\n163. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n164. A Song For Mama — Boyz II Men\n165. I Hope You Dance — Lee Ann Womack\n\n\n### Reception Songs to Dance To\nYour wedding reception playlist requires a balance of what you and your partner love and what your guests will enjoy, too. Regardless of what you choose, one thing’s for sure—they should make you want to dance! Our [Songs for the Dance Floor playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1) features songs that Zola couples have told us makes them want to get down, and the list below offers some extra inspiration.\n\n__Curated Zola picks on Spotify:__ [Songs for the Dance Floor](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4lociCkBvRLQSHKZHc8yz5?si=4b95bf552bc44354&nd=1)\n\n![reception-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6gP72dzRr8etOfvneB8SBZ/80d700f727d59057d982ae7fd659721a/reception-songs.jpg)\n\n166. I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston\n167. Lose Control — Missy Elliot\n168. Suavemente — Elvis Crespo\n169. On the Floor — Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull\n170. My Girl — The Temptations \n171. Play That Funky Music — Wild Cherry\n172. This Is What You Came For — Rhianna ft. Calvin Harris\n173. Havana — Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug\n174. Billie Jean — Michael Jackson \n175. Boogie Shoes — KC & The Sunshine Band\n176. Forever — Chris Brown\n177. Footloose — Kenny Loggins\n178. Uptown Funk — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars\n179. Shake It Off — Taylor Swift\n180. Yeah! — Usher \n\n\n## Best Wedding Songs by Genre\nThe best songs for your wedding day are those that represent your relationship with your partner and are close to both of your hearts. Instead of confining yourself to tradition or what you think you “should” include, curate your playlist based on your unique tastes. No matter what type of music you fancy, use our list of the best wedding songs by genre to tailor your playlist to what you and your partner love most. \n\n\n### Modern Wedding Songs\n181. Butterflies — Kacey Musgraves\n182. Sunflower — Post Malone\n183. Lover — Taylor Swift\n184. Treasure — Bruno Mars\n185. Sweet Creature — Harry Styles\n186. Let’s Shut Up & Dance — Jason Derulo\n187. Boom Clap — Charli XCX\n188. Born To Be Yours — Imagine Dragons ft. Kygo\n189. Can’t Feel My Face — The Weeknd\n190. One Kiss — Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa\n191. A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay\n192. Heatstroke — Calvin Harris ft. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, and Ariana Grande\n193. Coloring Outside the Lines — MisterWives\n194. 10,000 Hours — Dan + Shay, Justin Bieber\n195. Lucky — Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat \n\n\n### Country Wedding Songs\n196. Million Miles — Kody West\n197. Pretty Heart — Parker McCollum\n198. That’s the Way Love Goes — Merle Haggard\n199. Looking for Love — Johnny Lee\n200. Friends in Low Places — Garth Brooks\n201. Wagon Wheel — Darius Rucker\n202. Honey Bee — Blake Shelton\n203. Tennessee Whiskey — Chris Stapleton\n204. Country Girl (Shake It For Me) — Luke Bryan \n205. Better Together — Luke Combs\n206. Rhinestone Cowboy — Glen Campbell \n207. The Chair — George Strait \n208. Don’t Take Her She’s All I Got — Tracy Byrd\n209. You Look So Good in Love — Merle Haggard\n210. She Won’t Be Lonely Long — Clay Walker\n\n\n### Christian Wedding Songs\n211. God Gave Me You — Dave Barnes\n212. Always Only You — Josh Wilson\n213. Commitment — Sanctus Real\n214. You Say — Lauren Daigle \n215. When I Say I Do — Matthew West\n216. Hold Me — Jamie Grace ft. TobyMac\n217. Till I Found You — Phil Wickham \n218. You Love Me Anyway — Sidewalk Prophets\n219. Butterfly Kisses — Bob Carlisle\n220. Hundred More Years — Francesca Battistelli\n221. Good Day for Marrying You — Dave Barnes\n222. The Heart — NEEDTOBREATHE\n223. The King is Coming — Newsboys\n224. Made to Love — TobyMac\n225. I Promise (Wedding Song) — CeCe Winans\n\n\n### R&B/Soul Wedding Songs\n226. Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You — Lauryn Hill\n227. Let’s Get married — Jagged Edge\n228. Sweet Love — Anita Baker\n229. I Can’t Do Without You — George Jackson\n230. If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys\n231. Make You Feel My Love — Adele\n232. Ain’t Nobody — Chaka Khan, Rufus\n233. Let’s Stay Together — Al Green\n234. That’s How Strong My Love Is — Otis Redding\n235. I Believe in You and Me — Whitney Houston\n236. Lovely Day — Bill Withers\n237. Rich Girl — Lake Street Dive\n238. You Sexy Thing — Hot Chocolate\n239. Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin’ — Brenton Wood\n240. Just the Two of Us — Grover Washington, Jr. ft. Bill Withers \n\n\n### Classic Wedding Songs\n241. You’re My Best Friend — Queen\n242. Stayin’ Alive — Bee Gees\n243. Don’t Stop Believin’ — Journey\n244. Boogie Nights — Heatwave\n245. Love Train — The O’Jays\n246. Love Shack — The B-52’s\n247. September — Earth, Wind & Fire\n248. Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond\n249. I Want You Back — Jackson 5\n250. We Are Family — Sister Sledge\n251. This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) — Natalie Cole\n252. Better Together — Jack Johnson\n253. Happy — Pharrell Williams\n254. Superstition — Stevie Wonder\n255. Stand By Me — Ben E. King\n\n\n### Fun Wedding Songs\n256. Party Rock Anthem — LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett\n257. Chained to the Rhythm — Katy Perry\n258. Groove Is in the Heart — Deee-Lite \n259. Moves Like Jagger — Maroon 5 ft. Christina Aguilera \n260. Good Feeling — Flo Rida\n261. Crazy — Gnarles Barkley\n262. We Are Young — Fun. ft. Janelle Monáe\n263. Get Lucky — Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams \n264. Last Friday Night — Katy Perry \n265. Doo Wop (That Thing) — Lauryn Hill\n266. Raspberry Beret — Prince\n267. I Feel For You — Chaka Khan \n268. You Should Be Dancing (Saturday Night Fever soundtrack) — Bee Gees\n269. Got to Get You Into My Life — Earth, Wind & Fire\n270. Theme From Shaft (Remastered) — Isaac Hayes\n\n\n### Indie Wedding Songs\n271. Fade Into You — Mazzy Star\n272. Sweetest Thing on This Side of Heaven — Papa Bear & His Cubs\n273. In My Baby’s Arms — The California Honeydrops\n274. Coming Home — Leon Bridges\n275. Still Together — Mac DeMarco\n276. Baby — Ariel Pink\n277. My Kind of Woman — Mac DeMarco\n278. Feels Like Heaven — Ariel Pink\n279. Best to You — Blood Orange\n280. Dreams — The Cranberries\n281. Skinny Love — Bon Iver \n282. Strawberry Swing — Frank Ocean\n283. Still Into You — Paramore\n284. 1901 — Phoenix \n285. Electric Feel — MGMT\n\n\n### Rock Wedding Songs\n286. Fell in Love With a Girl — The White Stripes\n287. (You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party) — Beastie Boys\n288. Howlin’ For You — The Black Keys\n289. With or Without You — U2\n290. Our Love — Gary Clark Jr. \n291. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses\n292. Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town — Talking Heads\n293. Nothing Else Matters — Metallica \n294. Start Me Up — Rolling Stones\n295. You Shook Me All Night Long — AC/DC\n296. Should I Stay Or Should I Go — The Clash\n297. Can’t Stop — Red Hot Chili Peppers\n298. Jump — Van Halen\n299. Bitch, I Love You — Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears \n300. Dancing in the Dark — Bruce Springsteen\n\nCurating the perfect wedding playlist might feel daunting, but try to have fun with it! Focus on filling your playlist with songs that represent your unique love story and relationship. Now that you’ve got 300 songs to work with, we’re confident you’ll find something you love. ","tag":"Music + Entertainment","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.234Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj","title":"How to Choose Your Wedding DJ","excerpt":"Music makes the reception, so you need a wedding DJ that can keep the energy all the way up. Narrow down your search with our guide to choosing the perfect DJ for your big day.","author":"Jenn Sinrich","publishedAt":"2019-06-24T09:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6V8yIOmS3LBVMBJHp6gWhg/deca065a855a5f9c4618a8d6e1a5e44c/AntonDrummondPhotography_HeroImage_1080x720.jpg","altText":"indian couple dances to wedding dj"},"heroCredit":"Anton Drummond","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-photographers/anton-drummond-photography","body":"Wedding reception entertainment comes in all shapes and sizes, but a DJ is one of the more modern options available that has become an increasingly popular choice over live music. That said, not all DJs will be suitable for wedding receptions. And the ones that are might not be suitable for your wedding reception. So, let’s break down how to narrow down your wedding DJ options to one—plus, get into the top [questions you should be asking](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/questions-to-ask-wedding-dj). Consider this your [wedding DJ checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-dj-checklist). \n\n## Reasons to Hire a Wedding DJ\nTypically couples choose between DJs or live entertainment like a band. You can also forgo both options and [DJ your own wedding](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-dj-your-own-wedding) (an ambitious choice!) or figure out some combination of the two. If you’re on the fence, here are some benefits of a wedding DJ.\n\n__- It’s cost effective.__ [Compared to a live band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-much-does-a-live-wedding-band-cost) (or other live entertainment), DJs typically boast lower rates. This isn’t always true, but generally speaking, DJs require less housekeeping costs. Bands require more man power and potentially more travel costs because of their equipment. \n\n__- Hear your favorite music—the way you remember it.__ Don’t get us wrong: We love a [wedding band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choose-wedding-band-or-dj). That said, if you chose Elton John’s “The Way You Look Tonight” as your [first dance song](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/top-10-first-dance-songs) because it conjures a specific romantic moment for you, it’s nice to know it will sound the same way as the time you fell in love with it. The same can be said when it comes to listening to any of your wedding songs post-celebration.\n\n__- DJs can read the crowd.__ All performers should have some ability to read the room, but DJs have the unique ability to be able to shift musical direction with just a few key mixing elements. Bands, on the other hand, will typically have to finish out a song even if the crowd doesn’t seem to enjoy it. Bands also tend to have a set lineup that they stick to for formal events.\n\n![Eli3Photos InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2eHdVJRJudGGcyodUU3FKJ/b8d78372d59b4795b4fe9d821d39b697/Eli3Photos_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Eli3 Photography\n\n## 30 Questions to Ask Wedding DJs and Bands\nAt this point, you’ve likely already booked your wedding venue, caterer, and perhaps officiant. In that case, we’re sure you’re well-versed in the process of researching and narrowing down your potential vendors to a few options.\n\nOnce you’ve chosen your top three DJ options, contact them to make sure they’re available on your wedding day first. If so, schedule a call, in-person meeting, or even FaceTime appointment to talk. These meetings are your opportunity to get all of the intel you need to choose your wedding DJ. Here is a list of questions you want to ask:\n\n### The Basics\nBefore diving into the details, it’s paramount that you start with the basics. These important questions will inform you of a DJ’s availability and experience, as well as give you an idea of their schedule.\n\n- __Are you available for my wedding date__? As with all wedding vendors, this should be your first question. Ensure that a DJ available for your wedding before taking the time to speak or meet with one-another.\n\n- __How long have you been DJing__? Right away, you want to get an idea of how much experience this vendor has. Make sure this potential DJ is seasoned and prepared to work professionally.\n\n- __How many weddings have you worked__? There’s a difference between DJing at a music venue and for a wedding reception. Inquire about how much wedding experience this DJ has under their belt.\n\n- __How many weddings do you perform at per weekend__? Do you perform at multiple events in one day? Get an idea of how busy (read: potentially overwhelmed or tired) this wedding reception DJ may be on your weeding day or weekend.\n\n- __Will you or someone on your team be the day-of DJ__? Some DJs run their own businesses featuring solely themselves. Other companies have a lineup of DJs available. Ask if the person you’re speaking with would be the one at your wedding and, if not, if you could at at a point get in contact with who will be.\n\n- __How do you get a shy crowd moving__? Not all crowds are quick to rush the dance floor. One major perk of hiring a DJ is that they know how to get (and keep) a party going. Ask how they handle a situation in which the crowd is slow to get started.\n\n- __Do you have references I can reach out to__? The biggest reassurance you can get about a wedding vendor will come from their past clients. Ask if they have references you can reach out to that will recommend them and speak to you about their work.\n\n### Music\nChances are you got a feel for this DJ’s music style via their website or social media. Even so, it’s important that you learn more about their catalogue and style so you aren’t met with any surprises.\n\n- __How would you describe your style?__ House, Top 40, country, classics—plenty of DJs specialize in a specific type of music. Make sure yours aligns with the kind of music you want played on your big day.\n\n- __How often do you update your music catalogue?__ If you’re looking for more current music, it’s crucial to know how often a DJ updates their music collection. You don’t want to run into a situation where you’re looking forward to hearing last month’s hit radio song, only to find out that your DJ’s music library isn’t that up-to-date.\n\n- __Do you use a predetermined set list?__ Many DJs will have a pre-made setlist they can play or that you can build off of.\n\n- __Can we make the playlist?__ Say you know your musical taste—and the taste of your guests—incredibly well. Ask if it’s possible that you and your partner curate a list of songs—as well as a do not play list.\n\n- __Do you have any samples of your work?__ If you can’t find samples on their website, ask if you can be sent some via email.\n\n- __How do you handle song requests?__ Odds are, at least a few of your guests will approach your DJ with song requests. Inquire about how they handle these, if they take them at all.\n\n- __Will you also act as emcee?__ From your wedding party’s entrance, to your father-daughter dance, to toasts, you may have a lot of announcement that need to be made throughout your reception. These are typically made by the DJ, but you’ll need to make sure this is the case.\n\n### Logistics\nThese details might not be as exciting to discuss at the music itself, but they’re equally—if not more—important to your wedding planning.\n\n- __How much equipment do you require?__ Be aware of the DJ equipment they’ll need/will bring on your wedding day to get an idea of the set-up.\n\n- __Would we need to provide any separate equipment?__ It doesn’t happen often, but sometimes there will be a type of equipment that you need to provide, yourself. Ask if they’ll need a microphone, cables, or other tech equipment.\n\n- __How do you handle equipment malfunctions?__ Will you have backup equipment? Ideally, nothing will go wrong during your wedding celebration. However, sometimes things happen. Be aware of what this DJ will do if a piece of their equipment malfunctions mid-reception.\n\n- __Can you provide wireless mics for the wedding ceremony?__ It’s easier for everyone if you stick to one sound system throughout the day. If you don’t need to rent out a microphone from elsewhere, that’s a nice plus.\n\n- __Are you familiar with our reception space?__ Ask if they’ve worked at your reception location before. If not, they may need to show up earlier to figure out how to set-up.\n\n- __Do you plan to use lighting or special effects?__ Strobe lights, video screens, sparklers, projectors—many DJs have special effects set-ups that can be included in a music package.\n\n- __Do you handle set-up and break-down?__ Ensure that the DJ and/or their team will handle the setting up and breaking down of their equipment.\n\n- __What will you wear?__ Wedding themes and formalities varying greatly. For that reason, your DJ should wear something that won’t make them look out of place.\n\n- __If you’re unable to perform on the day of, do you have a backup plan?__ Most wedding vendors have a backup employee or contact they can reach out to in the event that they can’t make it to your wedding last-minute.\n\n- __Can you provide us with a full itinerary for the reception?__ If you have a wedding planner, chances are you’ll create an itinerary with them. If not, however, it may come down to you and your DJ.\n\n### Pricing\nThe bottom line is usually one of the biggest factors when it comes to deciding on wedding music. However, it isn’t as simple as asking what they charge. Discuss all potential fees and every option available to you.\n\n- __What are your rates?__ Do you charge by hours, packages, or both? Inquire about how this DJ charges their clients. They may set prices for different packages or change by the hours that they set-up and are playing music.\n\n- __Do you have packages available?__ What is included? Packages make it easy to see what all a DJ can offer you—and for what price. Ask for a detailed breakdown of each package available.\n\n- __Do you have payment plans?__ Some vendors will allow you to pay in installments, while others will require a down payment, then a final payment.\n\n- __Do you have an overtime fee?__ Often, couples will get to the end of their wedding reception and ask the venue if they can extend their hours. In this event, make sure you’re aware of your DJ’s overtime fees.\n\n- __Will there be additional fees?__ Transportation, parking, etc.? Get an outline of every item you can be potentially charged for or are expected to pay.\n\n- __What is your cancellation policy?__ In the event that you need to cancel or postpone your wedding, don’t get caught with surprise rules. Ask what cancellation, reschedule, and refund policies they have in place.\n\n- __Do you have the required insurance?__ Liability insurance is a must. Be sure that your DJ has it, plus any insurance that is required by your city or venue.\n\n- __When can we expect a quote and/or written contract?__ When you’ve discussed all of the above and are ready to sign on the dotted line, ask when you can expect to receive a full contract.\n\n# How to Choose Your Wedding DJ\n\n## Start your search early.\nWhile choosing your wedding DJ doesn’t have to be the very first thing on your [wedding checklist](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/checklist/your-ultimate-wedding-planning-checklist), it shouldn’t be one of the last either. Once you [choose your wedding venue](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-a-wedding-venue), make wedding entertainment your next focus. Like venues, sought-after DJs book up quickly. So, don’t hesitate to start your search, especially if your top choices are popular in your area. \n\n## Consider your style.\nLike we said, not all DJs are meant to be wedding DJs—it’s a broad title. Wedding DJs are specific experts in how receptions flow and how to choose music that suits many demographics. Be sure to immediately cross off any DJs without wedding-specific experience (unless you’re having an unconventional reception or if you’re asking a friend to DJ, of course).\n\nWedding DJ can still mean a lot of different things. So, it’s important to keep your style and wedding vision top of mind. If you’re more old school and a fan of music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, for example, pursue a DJ who specializes in music from those decades. If you’re more into rap or pop or other more modern genres, you want to find a DJ who’s well-versed on the top of the charts.\n\n## Ask around for recommendations.\nThe easiest way to narrow down any vendor search: word of mouth recommendations. Ask your family, friends, colleagues, whoever if they hired a DJ they loved. Even if they’re not engaged or married, they may have recently attended a wedding with a DJ that really wowed. \n\nOf course you can also always trust the Internet to help you start your search, too. We recommend starting with a vendor search from a reputable wedding source. We’re biased but Zola makes the [vendor search process](https://www.zola.com/inspire/search) basically seamless. You can read reviews from real couples, find out what services each DJ specifically offers, and more. It’s an easy way to taper your search to at least a handful of options.\n\nAs you conduct your Internet search, pay special attention to any trends you see in reviews. For example, look out for any mentions of tardiness—you don’t want anything to hold up your reception once you’re ready to party. \n\n![PineappleSunrisePhotography InlineImage 1080x720](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/74IYZz9UxZh1n1HYmuGhKs/e89519c6c36dd3b07d6af70832f6f463/PineappleSunrisePhotography_InlineImage_1080x720.jpg)\n*Photo Credit* // Pineapple Sunrise Photography\n\n## Get everything in writing.\nBefore you solidify your wedding DJ, be sure to get hammer out all of these details in writing. Be sure to include any notes on special requests, including certain song recommendations, exact start and end times, who will actually DJ day-of, etc.\n\nOnce you choose your DJ, you’ll likely be tasked with coming up with a list of must-hear songs, another list of absolutely-do-not-play songs, and a list of nice-to-hear-but-not-necessary songs. After that, your DJ will take it from there.\n\nJust like that, the search for your [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj) is on. Now that you’re prepared with the right information and know what to ask a wedding DJ, you’re ready to hire the vendor that’s going to help create the best wedding for you. However, if you do need some help with how to find a wedding DJ, start with our database of [bands, DJ, and musicians](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/search/wedding-bands-djs).","tag":"How-To ","widget1":{"marketingModule":{"tag":"EA_VendorMarketplace"}},"stickyCta":{"copy":"Find Vendors in Your Area","url":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/onboard?question=intro"},"updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:03.947Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"wedding-entertainment-ideas","title":"77 Unique Wedding Ideas to Make Your Day Unforgettable","excerpt":"While you'll be the center of attention on your big day, you can make your event more memorable with these unique wedding ideas for you and your guests.\n","publishedAt":"2024-03-20T12:00-04:00","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/nzD7rmoBlY10Jg3Nydevp/5b3bc39f9df3772b639f46ad6e238063/zola-entertainment-ideas-hero.jpg","altText":"Two lesbian brides hold hands while walking in a flower field."},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com","body":"Your wedding is an opportunity to go big and create a standout experience for everyone on your special day. While you’ll naturally be the center of attention at your wedding, you can make it memorable for everyone by keeping their enjoyment in mind.\n\nAs much as some guests may love getting down on the dance floor, others might prefer something a little more low-key. Aim to offer a variety of activities for wedding guests of all personality types. If you’re stuck on where to begin, we’ve put together a list of unique wedding ideas—from music and dessert to performances—as well as trendy options for the reception and beyond. \n\n## Where to find wedding ideas\n\nLean into your love story and use it to guide your wedding ideas. For example, you can serve the cuisine you ate on your first date or pay tribute to a shared hobby you enjoy. The possibilities are endless, so here are some of the best places to draw inspo.\n\n- Your first date\n- Your engagement story\n- Your favorite season\n- Your shared hobbies and interests\n- Your favorite food\n- Your heritage \n- Your travels together \n- Your pet\n\nNow that you know *where* to find inspiration, it’s time to dive into our list! From hiring a live painter to setting up a hot chocolate bar, any of these fun wedding ideas will ensure your event is one to remember. \n\n## 76 Unique wedding ideas\n\n### 1. Heart-shaped wedding cakes\nVintage cakes are back! This heart-shaped dessert wedding idea is all over social media and is about maximum romance. Decorated with layers of colorful icing, the cake is topped with cherries for an aesthetic touch.\n\n### 2. Disposable cameras\nAnother popular wedding idea in 2024 is placing disposable cameras on your guests’ tables so they can snap candid shots all night long. Develop and compile the photos into a photo album you’ll cherish forever.\n\n### 3. Wedding weekends\nWho said the celebration has to last only one day? More and more couples are embracing “wedding weekends,” where their guests are treated to various fun activities leading up to and after the wedding day.\n\n### 4. Personalized cocktails\nAdd a fun touch to your reception with a [signature wedding drink](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/choosing-signature-wedding-cocktail)! Craft a delicious cocktail that aligns with your event style and season, whether it’s a cozy spiked apple cider for winter or a refreshing limoncello spritz for the warmer months. \n\n![louis-hansel-byzvm4J8Ljw-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1YPZShGfdPWgPXAS3WnZrq/d5649552828cdff0778dc368430d4a7b/louis-hansel-byzvm4J8Ljw-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 5. Colored glasses\nEmbrace color and decorate your tablescape with bright hues that bring happiness and joy. From vintage-style goblets and martini glasses to retro tumblers, there are so many ways to incorporate colored glasses into your wedding design. \n\n### 6. Sparkly outfit changes\nSwap your ceremony outfit for a glittery ensemble to get the party started! Choose something chic that you can dance and have fun in. Plus, your guests will be surprised when you walk out wearing a brand-new fit.\n\n### 7. Midnight snacks\nAfter partying all night, your guests will appreciate a yummy snack to take home. Some of our favorite ideas are crispy McDonald's fries, warm salted pretzels, and mini cheesesteaks. \n\n### 8. Bespoke wedding stationery\nThere’s nothing more romantic than hand-painted wedding stationery. One creative wedding idea is to tap an artist like [Ofelia Botella](https://www.ofeliabotella.com/), who specializes in painting 10 bespoke templates for your save-the-dates, wedding invitations, menu cards, and other [wedding paper](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/paper). We’re obsessed.\n\n### 9. Hayrides\nIf your wedding takes place during the fall season, offer hayrides to guests between your ceremony and reception locations. A hayride is also the perfect entrance to kick off a fall-themed wedding affair.\n\n### 10. Audio guestbooks \nSet up a retro-style rotary phone and have your guests leave voice messages instead of signing a traditional guest book. You’ll be able to cherish your loved ones’ words and hear their actual voices, which is all the more meaningful. \n\n### 11. Champagne tower\nKick off your reception with a champagne tower to signal your guests that the fun is just beginning! Both elegant and extravagant, it’s a quick and easy way to offer drinks to everyone at once.\n\n### 12. Live painter\nWatching an artist pour their heart and soul onto the canvas in real-time can be a captivating experience for you and your guests. Plus, you’ll come away with a piece of artwork you can cherish for a lifetime. To thank your guests in a special way, mail them mini prints of the piece after the wedding.\n\n### 13. Themed piñata\nFor something easy, hang up a piñata and let your guests have a go at it! If traditional weddings aren’t really your thing, you could even have it replace a wedding cake by stuffing it with candy and other goodies for everyone to enjoy.\n\n### 14. Photo booth\nA photo booth is a classic wedding idea. Rent or DIY a photo booth so guests can document their time on your wedding day. Don’t forget to add a styled backdrop and props, or make it simple and just capture photos of your guests outside.\n\n![premium photo-1661440006763-56c271705ada](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2kqvvu4b2IaI8VgjOvjhpY/c504a1a9d555cd3d0803de6c8f908d9e/premium_photo-1661440006763-56c271705ada.avif)\n\n### 15. Dance-off competition\nIf you hired a [DJ or band](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/questions-to-ask-wedding-dj) for your wedding, ask if they’ll emcee and organize a dance competition. Have the wedding party kick things off, then encourage your guests to join to see who has the best dance moves.\n\n### 16. Glow sticks\nEverybody loves glow sticks, so crack a few to light up the evening. These simple guest handouts also make for some great photos if your reception is dimmed.\n\n### 17. Bouquet toss\nWhen it comes to fun wedding reception ideas, we couldn’t resist mentioning a bouquet toss! Throw your bouquet and see who the lucky catcher is. This traditional activity is one that many guests will already know, so it should be easy to get people to participate.\n\n### 18. Date night jar\nAsk your guests to write down a [date night idea](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/30-romantic-affordable-date-night-ideas) on a slip of paper and add it to a newlywed date night jar. Alternatively, ask for their best piece of marriage advice—no matter how silly or corny it may be!\n\n### 19. Limbo\nSee how low you can go with a wedding game you can play indoors or outdoors and will be enjoyed by various guests.\n\n### 20. Glitter station\nA glitter bar is a particularly good idea for festival-themed weddings. Set up a station for guests to add some sparkle to their faces, beards, and even eyebrows.\n\n### 21. Karaoke\nBring the fun of karaoke to your wedding night for some priceless entertainment your guests are sure to remember. Just a tip—you’ll likely get a more enthusiastic response if you wait until after drinks have been served.\n\n### 22. Confetti\nNo matter what style of wedding suits your fancy, you can’t go wrong with confetti! Make use of a confetti cannon, or go a more unconventional route. You can even ditch regular confetti in favor of flower petals, leaves, or birdseed to better match your theme.\n\n### 23. Choreographed dance routine\nSometimes, guests need a little encouragement to feel confident on the dance floor. Watching someone else get out there first might be just the push they need. Break the ice by choreographing a dance routine with the wedding party to kick off your reception.\n\n### 24. Furry friends\nWho says [your dog](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-throw-the-perfect-dog-wedding) can’t be a part of your wedding? If your pet is friendly and your venue approves, there’s no harm in bringing them along! Or, if you’re an animal lover but don’t have a pet of your own, you could work with a local shelter or rescue to set up and sponsor animal adoptions.\n\n![vasylyna-kucherepa-5Pq -dSdMX4-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/51XINlLe0X5gXO78QuSgpT/19bf02b186a39d08375cb106f3838165/vasylyna-kucherepa-5Pq_-dSdMX4-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 25. Silent disco\nMany venues have noise restrictions, which can feel like a bummer—but a silent disco is an excellent alternative to keep your guests hyped up. This twist on your average reception is sure to be hit among a variety of different personality types.\n\n### 26. Puzzles\nPuzzles are a simple form of entertainment that even the quietest and lowkey guests can appreciate. You can even order custom puzzles with a photo of your choice, so it’s a great excuse to show off your engagement pictures.\n\n### 27. Lego challenge\nPlace a small pile of legos at each reception table and see who can assemble the most unique creation. It may seem strange, but a Lego challenge is an activity that children and adults alike can enjoy.\n\n### 28. Slideshows\nIf all else fails, this is one of the most simple wedding reception entertainment ideas that’s guaranteed to make everyone smile. Set up a projector and play a slideshow of photos or videos that tell the story of your relationship.\n\n### 29. Light show\nIf you’re planning to have a DJ at your wedding, see if they offer additional services like light shows during the reception. Special lighting effects provide a unique visual experience for guests while illuminating the dance floor.\n\n### 30. Awards ceremony\nYour wedding day is all about you and your partner, but what if you don’t really like being the center of attention? Hold an awards ceremony to show appreciation for all of the wonderful family and friends who helped make your special day possible.\n\n### 31. Wedding raffle\nIt can be difficult to find affordable [wedding favors](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/wedding-favor-ideas) that everyone will love, especially if you’re on a budget. Instead, consider pooling the money you would have spent on favors and purchasing a bigger-ticket item instead. Then, hold a raffle to see who wins the prize!\n\n### 32. Guest props\nProps don’t just have to be for photo booths. Providing props throughout the reception gives each guest the opportunity to express themselves uniquely. Bonus points if you also provide selfie sticks!\n\n### 33. Bonfire\nHosting a bonfire probably isn’t your first thought when it comes to wedding entertainment, but gathering everyone around the fire to chat can be a great way to end your special day. If you’re having an outdoor fall wedding, this is also a great way to keep everyone warm.\n\n### 34. Extravagant wedding sendoffs\nExit your reception in style! There are many unique [wedding sendoff ideas](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/50-wedding-send-off-ideas) to make the moment extra special, from jetting off your own “Just Married” convertible to running under sparklers for a picture-worthy photo op. \n\n![derek-thomson-TkVqmu1QUSk-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4IijLoZQhldv0ypmNYNBfJ/26aa2bd03d489359994ce8d4e5c6a3bd/derek-thomson-TkVqmu1QUSk-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 35. Couples coloring books\nColoring doesn’t just have to be for kids! Give out adult coloring books as wedding favors and provide crayons or colored pencils at your reception tables. This isn’t your typical wedding favor, but it’s perfect for artsy guests.\n\n### 36. Sparklers\nSparklers make for a great wedding send-off, but they can also be used for guest entertainment. If your venue is outdoors, pass them out throughout the evening, and make sure to ask your photographer to snap some photos.\n\n### 37. Outdoor swing\nA swing is a whimsical addition to incorporate into an outdoor wedding. Decorate to tie it into your theme, and it’ll be the perfect place for children to gather and play. As an added bonus, it can double as a beautiful setting for your wedding portraits.\n\n### 38. Boat ride\nOffering boat rides is a no-brainer for any waterfront wedding. If you want something even more extravagant, take things up a notch by hosting your reception on a yacht.\n\n### 39. Petting zoo\nHaving your wedding at a farm venue? Consider setting up a petting zoo to add to the barnyard theme. Your animal-loving guests, especially children, will have a great time interacting with the farm animals.\n\n### 40. Horse-drawn carriage\nBoth you and your guests will feel like royalty if you incorporate a horse-drawn carriage into your wedding day. Make a statement with your entrance and then utilize the carriage to transport guests between the ceremony and reception locations.\n\n### 41. Ax throwing\nWhile it’s probably not your typical idea of a wedding activity, ax throwing will thrill your guests and give them an adrenaline rush they’ll remember. If you’re having a Halloween-themed wedding, it’ll also perfectly complement the spooky vibe.\n\n### 42. Table trivia\nSetting up wedding table trivia games is such a simple yet effective way to keep your guests entertained during dinner and beyond.\n\n### 43. Guess the guest\nThis one requires a bit more preparation, but we can assure you that it’ll be well worth the extra time! Ask your guests to include an interesting fact about themselves along with their RSVP that they’re comfortable sharing. Then, make a game of it on your wedding day to see who can get the most correct guesses.\n\n### 44. Face painting\nIf you’re a child at heart, you’ll love this unique wedding entertainment idea. Bring out the face paint and set up a station for guests to be painted with designs like flowers, butterflies, or leopard print. If you’re particularly creative, you could make up your own designs that tie into your wedding theme.\n\n![premium photo-1684244455978-59395cfcce81](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/46EVA8gDNYnAJS24XjyPkB/ec3e896b1bd1b0e532753e9c8e6d7322/premium_photo-1684244455978-59395cfcce81.avif)\n\n### 45. Virtual reality\nIs your venue limited in space to set up games? Hiring a virtual reality company is a great alternative that’s still enjoyable while taking up less room.\n\n### 46. Couples trivia\nSee which of your guests truly knows you the best—put a spin on regular trivia by including trivia questions about you and your spouse.\n\n### 47. Photo scavenger hunt\nFor something that everyone from the most to least competitive can enjoy, create a photo scavenger hunt. Ask your guests to snap photos of everything from a selfie to a cute picture of the newlyweds.\n\n### 48. Badminton\nAnother lawn game favorite perfect for an outdoor wedding, badminton is a great way to engage your guests' competitive sides.\n\n### 49. Guess who\nSit down with your partner and create a list of silly or unique facts about yourselves. Then, combine them into a list. On your wedding day, have your guests try to guess who each fact belongs to.\n\n### 50. Ring toss\nUpcycle old wine bottles for a game of ring toss that’ll tie in perfectly with your wedding colors.\n\n### 51. Guest bingo\nPurchase or DIY custom wedding bingo boards and play a round or two during the reception dinner. If you have an emcee, ask if they’ll take the lead on this so you and your wedding party can get in on the fun, too.\n\n### 52. Name that song\nPut your favorite playlist on shuffle and see who can guess the name of each song first. This is a great activity to break the ice and get even your most shy guests out on the dance floor.\n\n### 53. Ping pong\nHosting a dry wedding or beer pong just not your thing? A traditional game of ping pong is a simple (and child-friendly!) option for entertaining guests.\n\n### 54. S’mores\nIf your venue has an outdoor fire pit for roasting marshmallows, then making s’mores is a must! Set up a self-serve s’mores station with all of the supplies your guests need to enjoy this delicious treat. Sitting around the fire is a guaranteed way to keep cozy and get the conversation flowing!\n\n![joel-aguilar-J3iadlhQ7qc-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/1J8kb7WQ66mg6CmR42xsJo/6047a3774e5fb1415bd53192e998f836/joel-aguilar-J3iadlhQ7qc-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 55. Checkers\nClassic checkers can make a great option for wedding entertainment, but if you want something a little more extravagant, set up a giant checkerboard to play giant checkers.\n\n### 56. Cornhole\nAdd some southern flair with a game of cornhole! If your venue has a lawn, set up some personalized “Mr.” or “Mrs.” cornhole boards and get tossing.\n\n### 57. Popcorn stand\nKeep your wedding activities simple by setting up a popcorn stand paired with a photo slideshow for viewing at the reception.\n\n### 58. Hot chocolate bar\nKeep your guests warm and cozy with a self-serve hot chocolate bar. This wedding idea may seem unconventional, but it’s the perfect way to level up a winter wedding.\n\n### 59. Chocolate fountain\nWho doesn’t love chocolate? As simple as it may sound, you’d be surprised how much a chocolate fountain can wow guests. Serve marshmallows and fruit of your choice, and use this as an excuse to skip serving dessert if you wish. Be warned, though—this is one of the more messy wedding entertainment ideas.\n\n### 60. Cocktail bar\nLet guests loosen up during cocktail hour before hitting the dance floor. Frozen cocktails are the ultimate option for keeping guests cool at an outdoor summer wedding. For the kids, don’t forget to mix up some mocktails!\n\n### 61. Wine tasting\nIf you’re already serving wine along with the dinner courses, you have the perfect opportunity to organize an event for it. Have the waiters introduce the bottles of wine and allow guests to try a sampling of each.\n\n### 62. Whiskey tasting\nA whiskey-tasting table is a great alternative to wine-tasting or a traditional open bar. Offer a few whiskey selections in styled glasses for your guests to sample.\n\n### 63. DIY mimosas\nA DIY mimosa bar is the perfect addition to take your wedding entertainment to the next level. Create a fun experience for guests by setting up a styled table with champagne, juices, and garnishes. For an extra touch, include a sugaring station.\n\n### 64. Ice cream cart\nHaving an outdoor summer wedding? You can’t go wrong with an ice cream cart, which is a delicious cool-down option for a hot summer day.\n\n![premium photo-1658526992090-e15722e684c0](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/scKuXWEx4qM3XPc48Xgyc/0636221d2a4ae044051bfd8c50c50987/premium_photo-1658526992090-e15722e684c0.avif)\n\n### 65. Magician\nIf you want to add an extra touch of magic to your wedding, what better way to do it than by hiring a magician? A magician’s performance is one that guests both young and old can enjoy.\n\n### 66. DJ\nHire a [wedding DJ](https://www.zola.com/expert-advice/how-to-choose-your-wedding-dj) to help get people on the dance floor during your reception. Customize a fun wedding playlist everyone can get down to or let your guests request the songs they want to hear.\n\n### 67. Live band\nIf you don’t want to have a DJ at your wedding, consider hiring a local band instead. Nothing beats the experience of listening to live music, and it’s a great way to support your local musicians.\n\n### 68. String quartet\nCreate an enchanting and romantic atmosphere by hiring a string quartet to play during your wedding.\n\n### 69. Steel drum band\nSteel drums, or steel pans, are an instrument from the Caribbean. This type of entertainment will give your guests a glimpse of the islands, adding the perfect touch to a beach or destination wedding.\n\n### 70. Comedian\nGet your guests laughing and set the tone for the reception by hiring a comedian. This is a great way to get everyone in a cheerful mood. Keep in mind you’ll want to discuss any topics that should be avoided beforehand to ensure the performance runs smoothly.\n\n### 71. Harpist\nHiring a harpist is another great way to enchant guests and create a romantic atmosphere on your wedding day.\n\n### 72. Children’s entertainer\nFor child-friendly weddings, having some form of entertainment specifically for children is a thoughtful touch that will definitely be appreciated. Parents at your wedding will be able to enjoy the day knowing that their children are occupied, safe, and out of trouble.\n\n### 73. Caricaturist\nHire a caricature artist to sketch fun portraits of you and your guests. These can also serve as personalized wedding favors.\n\n### 74. Fireworks\nEnd your special day with a bang—literally—with a gorgeous firework display. Check with your venue beforehand and give your wedding photographer a heads-up so they can make the most of the magical lighting.\n\n![shifaaz-shamoon-vhDst8AetiA-unsplash](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/MhHTto4gYmrs0jasJTG40/131ed953a3b7f9519a21fc23c9562acc/shifaaz-shamoon-vhDst8AetiA-unsplash.jpg)\n\n### 75. Sword performer\nYes, sword swallowing is actually a thing! It’s a skill that originated in India around 4,000 years ago, but there aren’t many people still performing it today. If you do manage to book a sword-swallowing performance, you can be sure that no one will ever forget it.\n\n### 76. Fire performer\nThere’s no doubt your wedding will stand out with a fire performance. Fire artists have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves that are pretty much guaranteed to blow your guests away. Did we mention that some can even breathe fire?\n\n### 77. Palm reader\nThe moment you say “I do” is the moment your future begins. Having a palm or tarot card reader at your wedding can be a fun way to see a glimpse of what it may hold. While this may not be on everyone’s list of things to do at a wedding, it’s an idea to consider if you want to do something different.\n\nWhen you’re choosing between wedding ideas, it’s a good thought to cater to a variety of personality types. Whether it’s a dance-off or a traditional bouquet toss, involving the people you love most is key to creating a memorable experience. Explore [Zola’s marketplace](https://www.zola.com/wedding-vendors) to find vendors in your area to help you execute your dream event. ","updatedAt":"2025-06-07T16:49:43.805Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"how-to-dj-your-own-wedding","title":"How to DJ Your Own Wedding","excerpt":"If you're thinking about being your own wedding DJ, make sure you keep these expert tips in mind to stay properly prepared and guarantee a packed dance floor all night long.","publishedAt":"2019-02-03T03:41:57.661Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4boZCuK2eKdpsD0ESWwAP0/39780f7e9a57e1546be4363e23b17b4f/Hero_New.jpg","altText":"Wedding DJ playing music at an outdoor evening wedding reception"},"heroCredit":"Zola","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com/inspiration/wedding-photographers/fia-forever-wedding-photography","body":"Wedding entertainment is an obvious place for couples to cut wedding costs. Why pay for a pricey DJ (or an even more expensive wedding band) when all the songs you could possibly want are right at your fingertips? \n\nThanks to the easy proliferation of mp3 files, music-streaming services, and the advanced sound quality available in small, affordable speakers these days, DIYing your own wedding music seems fairly doable—easy, even. But there are some major considerations you should keep in mind when deciding to DJ your own wedding, not to mention some guidelines to follow to make sure the experience is harmonious for everyone (see what we did there?). \n\nRead on for our expert tips for how to DJ your own wedding that will have you and your guests keeping the beat all night long. \n\n## Pros and Cons of DJing Your Own Wedding \nBefore you start shopping the aisles of Best Buy, take some time to really consider whether DJing your own wedding is the right move for you. Here are some pros and cons of being your own wedding DJ: \n\n__Pros:__\n- Saves a lot of money.\n- Offers ultimate control over your ceremony, cocktail, dinner, and dancing playlists.\n- Allows you to control the mood and vibe (and avoid cheesy DJ antics).\n\n__Cons:__\n- Might have to “work” at your own wedding.\n- Potential poor sound quality or lack of amplification.\n- Guest might want to overtake (or offer lots of feedback on) the playlist.\n- There’s no professional to deal with any technical difficulties. \n- Must know how to build a good wedding playlist that flows, encourages dancing, and matches the right moods.\n\n## What You’ll Need to DJ Your Own Wedding\nWhile you don’t need a truckload of professional A/V equipment to DJ your own wedding, don’t think that you can just plug your phone into a speaker on the day of your wedding and be ready to roll. As with any DIY wedding project, the more preparation you put into it, the better the results. Once you decide to self-DJ, visit or talk to your wedding venue to find out more about their setup for playing music: \n- Do they have a fully equipped system for playing and amplifying music already on-site, or will you need to bring one (or parts of one) in? \n- Can someone walk you through the locations of equipment, cables, outlets, and other considerations so you will know exactly how to set up on your own? \n\nIf you will be providing your own equipment, consider renting professional-quality amplification. One of the biggest DIY DJ missteps is not realizing how much volume you’ll need: while your bluetooth speaker sounds plenty loud in your home, you’ll need powerful amplification in order to project sound over hundreds of bodies, their chatter, and general party din. Plus, nothing makes it harder to pack the dance floor than music that just isn’t loud enough. Renting a basic set of speakers and an amp will cost you $75-100; adding a mixer and a wireless microphone will add another $100-$200. \n\nHere’s the list of necessary equipment you’ll need to buy, borrow, or rent to successfully DJ your own wedding:\n- An iPod, laptop, or other digital music player\n- A good speaker system, including: \n- (2) 12-15” speakers with stands\n- Subwoofer (optional)\n- A mixing console \n- A cable to connect the player to the mixer (most likely a mini-stereo to a male dual RCA)\n- A microphone, either wireless or with a very long cable\n\n## DIY Wedding DJ Gameplan\nFollow these steps to smoothly pull off the perfect evening of curated, meaningful, and crowd-pleasing tunes. \n\n### 1. Gather Your Equipment\nCheck out the list above, and go about buying or sourcing all of the gear you’ll need to self-DJ like a pro. Check with your venue to see if they have any of the necessary items already on site. \n\n### 2. Rent Amplification\nWe’ve already mentioned this, but powerful speakers can make or break your party—look into renting a set of speakers, an amp, and possible a subwoofer and a mixer from a local music or A/V shop. It will set you back much less than hiring a professional DJ, and is well worth the investment so you and your guests can actually hear your finely crafted playlist.\n\n### 3. Build Your Playlists\nSit down with your partner and start making a list of your favorite tunes. Throw everything on the list at first, and whittle down later. Think about the songs that are meaningful to you as a couple, songs that you love to dance to, and songs that you know will please your crowd. You can purchase new music from iTunes, or build playlists from streaming music sites like Spotify or Apple Music. Just be sure to download your playlists to your computer so that you can create multiple copies, and so you’re not relying on a wifi connection for access. \n\nWhile you might be laser-focused on the dance party, there is more to your wedding day music than just the reception. We recommend that you make separate playlists for each part of the day, which will make it easier for whomever is helping to hit the play button at the right time. Here are suggestions for the different wedding playlists you should craft: \n- __Pre-Ceremony:__ For when guests are arriving and finding their seats.\n- __Ceremony:__ Include (and clearly label) the processional song, the bride’s processional song (if different), any songs that appear in the service itself, and the recessional song. \n- __Cocktails:__ You want some ambient music to be playing during your cocktail hour, but nothing that overwhelms the room or inhibits people from conversing. Think upbeat, light tunes in such genres as jazz, bluegrass, classical, standards, and folk. \n- __Reception Introductions:__ You may want some fun music to escort you and/or your wedding party as you’re introduced into the reception. \n- __Dinner:__ Similarly to cocktail hour, your dinner playlist should mainly focus on pleasant background music that’s easy to talk over. Start building towards more upbeat, danceable tunes towards the end to get folks in the mood for what’s to come. \n- __Special Dances:__ These include specially chosen songs for the first dance, the father/daughter dance, and the mother/son dance. Clearly label and order each of these according to where they appear in the event timeline. \n- __Dance Party:__ The bulk of your focus, the dance party playlist is where the wedding music really needs to shine. Play a variety of songs that will please all of your wedding guests, from young to old, but that also suits the tastes of you and your partner.\n- __After-Party:__ If you’re having an after-party that will involve dancing, keep the good times rolling with lots of deep, dancing cuts. You can skew the playlist to the younger crowd here, as most older folks will have gone home. \n\n### 4. Ask for Guest Input\nA laptop or iPod sitting by itself tends to invite certain “empowered” guests to become hands-on and change up the song choice. One way to avoid this unwanted participation to allow guests to recommend songs or submit preferences ahead of time. The easiest way to do this is through your [wedding website](https://www.zola.com/wedding-planning/website), and it can actually be a fun way to get guests invested in and excited for your upcoming celebration. \n\n### 5. Edit and Fine-Tune \nOnce you have your playlists put together, take the time to listen through them carefully and make revisions as necessary. Listen for the general flow of the energy, particularly for the dancing playlist: you’ll want to have some quiet and romantic moments, some more energetic moments, and to build to a crescendo as the dance party culminates. Weed out any songs that feel jarring or out of place, and reposition songs to create harmonious transitions. \n\nWe also highly suggest you trim down the length of songs to around 2-3 minutes, and cut out any long introductions or dragging moments, which you can do in iTunes. Be sure to also apply the cross-fading function to your playlists, which will automatically ease the transition between songs for you. \n\n### 6. Test It Out \nRunning multiple tests prior to the big day is imperative to avoid regretting your self-DJing efforts. Try out your playlists on your equipment at your venue and check for any audio feedback, poor sound quality, and the overall volume. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, test your setup in both the outdoor locations and the rain-plan locations just in case there’s inclement weather. \n\n### 7. Assign Music Captain/Emcee\nThere’s a difference between DIYing your wedding music, and actually being your own DJ. Save yourself from having to think about musical logistics (when you should be focused on the joy of getting married) by recruiting a “music captain.” On the day of your wedding, this person will be responsible for: \n- Ensuring the sound equipment is ready to go.\n- Relocating the sound equipment throughout the event as necessary.\n- Queing up your various playlists and hitting play, stop, and skip as necessary.\n- Guarding the playing device from rogue guest DJs throughout the evening.\n- It’s ideal if your music captain is tech-savvy and/or has a good working knowledge of music and sound technology. \n\nEven better, if this person is up to the task, have him or her act as emcee for the night. This involves using a microphone to announce when special dances or moments (such as toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss, or shuttle departures) are taking place throughout the celebration, and making sure the microphone winds up in the right hands at the right moment. The emcee should have a copy of the event timeline and be familiar with it ahead of time. \n\nIf your music captain isn’t a good candidate for emcee, there’s no harm in having two people serve in these roles. They will work in tandem to make sure your wedding sounds great and flows beautifully. \n\n### 8. Have a Backup Plan\nAll good wedding DIY projects have a backup plan, and wedding DJing is no exception. Even the best-laid musical plans might fail: perhaps bad weather interferes, or your devices batteries aren’t fully charged, or something falls and breaks. Have a backup plan in place for peace of mind that hopefully you won’t have to use, such as the number of a local professional you can call last-minute. It’s also a good idea to write down the locations of a few nearby electronic stores in case you need to send someone for emergency purchases. \n\n### 9. Do a Final Sound Check\nBecause you can never be too prepared, you or your sound captain should try to get to the venue early on the day-of just to do one final sound check before guests arrive. Once it’s go-time, it will be hard to adjust the equipment’s location or settings without disrupting the party flow. \n\n## Tips for Being Your Own Wedding DJ\n### 1. Think Through The Whole Day\nWedding music is necessary for other parts of your wedding day beyond the reception. If you’re going to provide your own music for your ceremony and/or cocktail hour, make sure you have a plan in place for what you need in each location, who will set up and operate the sound equipment in each location, and who will move the equipment to the next location (if necessary). Make sure to test out your playlists and equipment in all locations ahead of time. \n\n## 2. Play Dance Hits\nIf you want your guests to get up on the floor and bust a move, be sure you craft a reception playlist that touches upon many classic dance songs that your guests know and love. Think about weddings where the dance floor was packed and you had a blast dancing: what were the hits? We’re not saying you need to play the “The Electric Slide” or the chicken dance, but be sure to throw in enough crowd-pleasers.\n\n### 3. Play a Variety\nSimilarly, if you want everyone from your little cousin to your grandmother to enjoy the music, consider playing a variety of songs from different genres and time periods. While you might listen exclusively to ‘90s hip hop, EDM, and obscure indie bands, chances are most of your wedding guests won’t share your eclectic musical tastes. Play a variety of popular songs that build in energy and chronology, including some classic, slow-dance ballads, some danceable funk or Motown tunes, and some contemporary pop hits that you can get behind. \n\n### 4. Do a Trial Run\nWe already mentioned this, but we’ll say it again to hammer it home: make sure you test out your equipment and do a trial run of your most important playlists at your venue. You don’t want any surprises on your wedding day. \n\n### 5. Don’t Rely on The Internet\nBe sure you have your playlists downloaded to your music player so that you’re not relying on a wifi connection to play them. While streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, and Apple Music are awesome for general use, your wedding music should be saved (and backed up) on your devices so you can access it regardless of the internet. \n\n### 6. Assign a Music Captain\nYour music captain will take over some of the musical logistics on your wedding day, freeing you up to be in the moment as much as possible. This person will also offer safeguard against well-meaning, but pesky wedding guests who want to take over the dancing playlist. Entrust this role to someone who’s responsible and ideally both musically and technologically savvy.\n\n### 7. Cross-Fade and Cut Your Songs\nThe difference between a professional playlist and an obviously DIY playlist can be found in the gaps or awkward moments between songs. Use crossfade functionality to eliminate long transition between songs, and use iTunes to cut songs down to shorter lengths that match dancers’ attention spans—otherwise, your crowd might lose momentum.\n\n### 8. Use a Wedding DJ App\nThere are several handy apps on the market made specifically for those who want to DJ their own weddings. Check out MyWeddingDJ to see how using the app can streamline your process (and help ease your day-of setup) even further. \n\n### 9. Read The Room\nWhile other people should not mess with your carefully crafted playlist, you and your partner can. If you feel like the energy needs to shift, or you notice people aren’t dancing to certain genres of music, feel free to skip ahead or change your song order to better match the party vibe. The beauty of DJing your own wedding is the freedom you have to change it up (without obsessing, of course). \n\n### 10. Pad Your Playlist By 2 Hours\nRunning out of music is a big no-no, and some portions of the wedding timeline might go on longer than you expect. Be sure you have extra music to fall back on should things run long, if you need to switch up the mood, or if you’re at a venue that will allow you to keep the party going if no one’s ready to call it quits at the appointed end time. \n","tag":"How-To ","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:13.037Z"},{"type":"articlePage","topic":{"name":"Venues & vendors","slug":"venues-vendors"},"subtopic":{"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music"},"slug":"father-daughter-dance-songs","title":"105 Father-Daughter Dance Songs Ideas for Your Wedding Day ","excerpt":"Check out our Spotify playlist or jump to one of our song sections to find the perfect father daughter dance song for you and your dad.","publishedAt":"2020-09-24T13:34:55.398Z","heroImage":{"src":"//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6WezV5PiMrpZnTI7V4Xuwr/aacadcf34c45d0649b647c5e8748ee56/105-Father-Daughter-Dance-Songs-Ideas-for-Your-Wedding-Day.jpg","altText":"dad and daughter smiling at the camera."},"heroCredit":"Unsplash","heroCreditUrl":"https://www.zola.com","body":"If you and your dad have a special song that you’ve both loved since you were small, choosing a father-daughter dance song may be a no-brainer. If not, it can be a challenge to find the perfect song to dance to. Finding that ideal choice that is meaningful but not too sappy is a task that can take months. To help inspire some ideas we created this list of 105 father-daughter dance songs.\n\nWhether you’re throwing a country bash or a suit and tie soirée, there is sure to be a song that you and your dad can dance the night away to. Check out our Spotify playlist or jump to one of our song sections below:\n\nUnique Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\n \nModern Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\nUpbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nCountry Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nRock Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nClassic Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nShort Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\nFather-Daughter Dance Song Playlist \n\n## Unique Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![01-unique-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7rPz6YjW5hgTRjT0Nu1vuL/30b1b5fe110abe39e4f5506b731c215c/01-unique-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nIf you and your dad want to skip the classics and look for something special, use this list of unique father-daughter dance songs to find something that reflects your relationship. To make your choice easier, look for a song that compliments your wedding style. For example, you are throwing a fancy soiree, choose something like “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. \n\n1. “Home” by Michael Buble\n2. “One Call Away\" by Charlie Puth\n3. “Strawberry Swing” by Coldplay\n4. “Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole\n5. “Sunrise, Sunset” by Fiddler on the Roof\n6. “Cecilia and the Satellite” by Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness \n7. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong\n8. “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins\n9. “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke\n10. \"I Lived\" by OneRepublic\n11. “My Little Girl” by Jack Johnson\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke\n\n“If I go a million miles away/I'd write a letter each and every day/'Cause honey, nothin',/Nothin' can ever change this love/I have for you.”\n\n## Modern Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![02-modern-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/2vF6lAlGMgUqjQw9Qfqdro/cd6b9b9d700b318032880c5c5f2319d1/02-modern-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nSo many recommended father-daughter dance songs are classics or country. If you’re looking for something modern, choose one of these newer numbers to dance to. For some of the longer or more romantic songs, have your wedding band or DJ customize a mix. This way you and your dad can dance for the perfect amount of time.\n\n12. \"Moon River\" by Frank Ocean\n13. \"How Long Will I Love You\" by Ellie Goulding\n14. “Walk With You” by Edwin McCain\n15. “Your Joy” by Chrisette Michele\n16. “Daughters” by John Mayer \n17. “Love Me Now” by John Legend\n18. “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Amy Winehouse \n19. “Emmylou” by Vance Joy \n20. “I Turn to You” by Christina Aguilera\n21. “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift\n22. “Always Be Your Baby” by Natalie Grant\n23. “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"How Long Will I Love You\" by Ellie Goulding\n\n“How long will I love you/As long as stars are above you/And longer if I can.”\n\n## Country Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![03-country-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/7r63OeyVW46TlltKasBtgF/6a841007e6cec86670bc0418a60fbe48/03-country-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nFor rustic and barn weddings, a country-themed father-daughter dance song is a perfect choice. If you’re looking for a country or western song, you’re in luck. There are endless options that are ideal for a father-daughter dance. Whether you want a song written to a daughter, or to a father, there is something for everyone.\n\n24. \"Don't Blink\" by Kenny Chesney\n25. \"God Gave Me You\" by Blake Shelton\n26. \"I Loved Her First\" by Heartland\n27. \"It Won't Be Like This for Long\" by Darius Rucker\n28. “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts\n29. “He Didn’t Have to Be” by Brad Paisley\n30. “There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney\n31. \"My Little Girl\" by Tim McGraw\n32. \"Wide Open Spaces\" by The Chicks\n33. \"I'll Be There\" by Josh Turner\n34. “Little Miss Magic” by Jimmy Buffett\n35. “I Don’t Dance” by Lee Brice \n36. \"Never Grow Up\" by Taylor Swift\n37. \"Stealing Cinderella\" by Chuck Wicks\n38. \"Just Fishin'\" by Trace Adkins\n39. “My Old Man” by Zac Brown Band \n40. “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack\n41. “There'll You'll Be” by Faith Hill\n42. \"I'll Be Your Man\" by Zac Brown Band\n43. “Through the Years” by Kenney Rogers\n44. “Then They Do” by Trace Adkins\n45. “All American Girl” by Carrie Underwood \n46. “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw \n47. \"Daddy Dance With Me\" by Krystal Keith\n48. \"Daddy's Hands\" by Holly Dunn\n49. “Dance with My Daughter” by Jason Blaine\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"I'll Be There\" by Josh Turner\n\n“If you need a frown turned to a grin/Or you need a hand just to hold your hand/Need a daddy or you just need a friend/I'll be there.”\n\n## Upbeat Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3awEZL9OqaRDTkRVSVZY2o/4508e0226f98010b0ca40f4cdd19aa42/04-upbeat-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nThe sweet and slow father-daughter dance doesn’t fit every family. If you have a fun relationship with your dad and you would rather move and groove instead of sway, choose a funky, upbeat song to dance to. Use your wedding theme to guide your decision if you’re stuck between two choices. \n\n50. \"How Sweet It Is\" by James Taylor\n51. “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles \n52. \"Dance Like Yo Daddy\" by Meghan Trainor\n53. \"Sweet Child O' Mine\" by Guns N' Roses\n54. “You're My Best Friend” by Queen \n55. \"Come Fly With Me\" by Frank Sinatra\n56. “Cinderella” Steven Curtis Chapman\n57. “When You Need Me” by Bruce Springsteen\n58. “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor\n59. \"Glory\" by Jay-Z ft. Blue Ivy\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by James Taylor\n\n“You just call out my name/And you know wherever I am/I'll come running to see you again, oh baby, don't you know/Winter, spring, summer or fall/Hey now, all you have to do is call/And I'll be there, yes I will.”\n\n## Rock Father-Daughter Dance Songs\n\n![05-rock-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/6OEZPZQWfMzyEpBG5wH2Ap/62506ab391e5cdb4b48215aea559555b/05-rock-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nIf your childhood is filled with memories of you and your dad belting out the words to “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John or \"Brown Eyed Girl\" by Van Morrison, why not dance to it at your wedding? These classic rock choices are a great way to personalize your wedding and honor the memories of your childhood. Plus, these songs are sure to please dads that are classic rock fans.\n\n60. \"She's a Rainbow\" by The Rolling Stones\n61. “Thank You” by Led Zeppelin\n62. “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel\n63. “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John \n64. \"Wildflowers\" by Tom Petty\n65. “Lullaby (Goodnight, My Angel)” by Billy Joel\n66. “Tupelo Honey” by Van Morrison \n67. “I Will Walk With You” by John Fogerty \n68. \"Brown Eyed Girl\" by Van Morrison\n69. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker\n70. “My Darling” by Wilco\n71. “You Got It ” by Roy Orbison\n72. “Hold My Hand” by Hootie and the Blowfish \n73. “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles\n74. “Here for You” by Neil Young\n75. “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac\n76. \"Father and Daughter\" by Paul Simon\n77. “I'll Stand By You” by The Pretenders\n78. “How You've Grown” by 10,000 Maniacs\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ \"Father and Daughter\" by Paul Simon\n\n“I'm gonna watch you shine/Gonna watch you grow/Gonna paint a sign/So you always know/As long as one and one is two/Ooh ooh/There could never be a father/Love his daughter more than I love you”\n\n## Classic Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![06-classsic-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/4gaYS04E6ARHDYgxUiUmtj/555af5ee9fac61e73679099f292ec3c6/06-classsic-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nThere is just something magical about a father and daughter swaying to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole, or “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle during their wedding reception. These sweet classics are popular for a reason. They do a beautiful job of capturing the love between dad and daughter and provide an excellent backdrop for this special moment. You can’t go wrong with any of these timeless tunes.\n\n79. “Butterfly Kisses” by Bob Carlisle\n80. “Because You Loved Me” by Celine Dion\n81. \"You Are My Sunshine\" by Johnny Cash\n82. “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole\n83. “They Can't Take That Away From Me” by Ella Fitzgerald\n84. “To Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan\n85. “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross\n86. \"The Way You Look Tonight\" by Frank Sinatra\n87. “Daughter” by Loudon Wainwright III\n88. “Child of Mine” by Carole King\n89. “It’s For My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra\n90. “Stand By Me” by Ben E King\n91. “One in a Million” by Larry Graham\n92. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards\n93. 93. “Kind & Generous” by Natalie Merchant\n\n \n__Our top pick:__ “It's for My Dad” by Nancy Sinatra\n\n“He always was a rock when I needed one/He gave me good advice when I needed some/I want you to know that when It's said and done/He's one of the best friends I ever had.”\n\n## Short Father-Daughter Dance Songs \n\n![07-short-father-daughter-songs](//images.ctfassets.net/77l22z9el0aa/3HaE1K44ReleMwVXhSqsDj/4f7403bb731bd70a9f79ca0abf85e15d/07-short-father-daughter-songs.jpg)\n\nSometimes it can feel like the parents’ dances can drag on. If you want to limit your dance, choose one of these songs that pack the sweetest lyrics and beautiful melody all in under two minutes. No matter your wedding theme, there is sure to be one that is meaningful to you and your dad.\n\n94. \"Sweet Pea\" by Amos Lee\n95. \"Daddy's Little Girl\" by Michael Bolton\n96. “Forever ” by The Beach Boys\n97. “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys\n98. “Gracie” by Ben Folds\n99. “Stairway to the Stars” by Ella Fitzgerald\n100. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke\n101. “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles\n102. “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder\n103. “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong\n104. “It’s All in the Game” by Tommy Edwards\n105. \"My Girl\" by The Temptations\n\n__Our top pick:__ “Ain’t That Love” by Ray Charles\n\n“Now when you walk (when you walk)/I want to walk with you/When you talk (when you talk)/Want to talk some, too/Now, ain't that love? (ain't that love?)/Oh, ain't that love that I feel (that I feel)/In my heart for you.”\n\nThe processional song, recessional song, and first dance song are so meaningful that making the right choice can be difficult. If you’re having a hard time making a decision, use these songs to find inspiration. If you want to take a listen, visit our Spotify playlist below. Listen through some of these modern, unique, and classic songs to choose the perfect option to dance with your dad.\n\n \n\n","updatedAt":"2024-02-05T16:56:08.910Z"}],"name":"Bands, DJs & music","slug":"bands-djs-music","description":"Your guide to wedding bands, DJs and music. Find the perfects tunes for every moment of your wedding from entrance songs to the last-dance. Whether you hire a live band or have a family member DJ, we help you get everything in order to dance the night away!"},{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Cakes & desserts","slug":"cakes-desserts","description":"Your guide to wedding cake, desserts, and all things sweet. Find advice on choosing the perfect wedding cake, unique wedding dessert table ideas and more tasty inspiration."},{"featuredArticles":[],"name":"Bar & beverages","slug":"bar-beverages","description":"Can't decide between an open bar, cash bar, or no host bar? Maybe you're considerig a dry wedding? Find expert-approved guides to bar services for weddings, signature drink ideas, and everything else libations and drinks."}]}},"userAgent":"Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)","userCtx":{"object_id":"684e594c732bc8955ceb9764","is_spoof":false,"has_registry":false,"has_wedding_account":false,"has_website":false,"has_guest_list":false,"has_inspiration_account":false,"has_invitation_account":false,"has_marketplace_account":false,"has_completed_onboarding":false,"has_store_account":false,"has_baby_registry":false,"is_inspiration_vendor":false,"is_inspiration_admin":false,"has_board_items":false,"is_guest":true,"user_experiments":{"marketplace-post-inquiry-instant-registry-cross-conversion":{"key":"marketplace-post-inquiry-instant-registry-cross-conversion","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-1"},"wedding-website-navigation-redesign":{"key":"wedding-website-navigation-redesign","state":"NOT_IN_TEST","variation_key":"NOT_IN_TEST"},"hdyhau-subway":{"key":"hdyhau-subway","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"},"unbounce-std-onboard-landing":{"key":"unbounce-std-onboard-landing","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-1"},"unbounce-design-website-mobile":{"key":"unbounce-design-website-mobile","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-1"},"marketplace_featured_vendors_holdout":{"key":"marketplace_featured_vendors_holdout","state":"NOT_IN_TEST","variation_key":"NOT_IN_TEST"},"marketplace-multi-inquiry-photos-mweb":{"key":"marketplace-multi-inquiry-photos-mweb","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-1"},"paper-ulp-optimization-exp-2":{"key":"paper-ulp-optimization-exp-2","state":"CONTROL","variation_key":"TEST-0"},"website-customization-mweb":{"key":"website-customization-mweb","state":"NOT_IN_TEST","variation_key":"NOT_IN_TEST"},"improve-mweb-postauth-nav-products-2":{"key":"improve-mweb-postauth-nav-products-2","state":"CONTROL","variation_key":"TEST-0"},"marketplace-hide-boost-listing-link":{"key":"marketplace-hide-boost-listing-link","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"},"unbounce-design-homepage-mobile":{"key":"unbounce-design-homepage-mobile","state":"CONTROL","variation_key":"TEST-0"},"marketplace-multi-inquiry-photos":{"key":"marketplace-multi-inquiry-photos","state":"CONTROL","variation_key":"TEST-0"},"wedding-website-navigation-redesign-3":{"key":"wedding-website-navigation-redesign-3","state":"NOT_IN_TEST","variation_key":"NOT_IN_TEST"},"payment-intent-vendor-upgrade-ramp":{"key":"payment-intent-vendor-upgrade-ramp","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"},"paper-samples-favorites-remove-customization":{"key":"paper-samples-favorites-remove-customization","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-1"},"session-replay-sample-rate":{"key":"session-replay-sample-rate","state":"NOT_IN_TEST","variation_key":"NOT_IN_TEST"},"unbounce-design-homepage-desktop":{"key":"unbounce-design-homepage-desktop","state":"CONTROL","variation_key":"TEST-0"},"marketplace-listing-page-gallery-optimizations":{"key":"marketplace-listing-page-gallery-optimizations","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-2"},"marketplace-zendesk-chat":{"key":"marketplace-zendesk-chat","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"},"marketplace-onboarding-reordering":{"key":"marketplace-onboarding-reordering","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST-2"},"recaptcha-refactor":{"key":"recaptcha-refactor","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"},"marketplace-preauth-srp-pros-and-cons-release-ramp":{"key":"marketplace-preauth-srp-pros-and-cons-release-ramp","state":"TEST","variation_key":"TEST"}}}},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/expert-advice/topic/[slug]/[subtopicSlug]","query":{"page":"2","slug":"venues-vendors","subtopicSlug":"bands-djs-music"},"buildId":"web-preauth-348ae07a9fd4633bc09bc95f0b3d4bbd8c87c8d1","assetPrefix":"https://d1tntvpcrzvon2.cloudfront.net/vpassets","runtimeConfig":{"APP_VERSION":"1.3.83","MIXPANEL_PROJECT_TOKEN":"7a536271a9739a74faec2d35adf1748f","SEGMENT_ID":"5uA1DSKtOVYOwQFc8VmVrXWt5PioMQla","UPLOADCARE_PKEY":"bed481ea2bef6baf44de","ZOLA_ENV":"production","FLAGS":{"PAPER_LP_SAMPLE_PACK_SECTION":false,"enableDatadog":true},"BABY_HOST":"https://baby.zola.com"},"isFallback":false,"gssp":true,"customServer":true,"scriptLoader":[]}

Bands, DJs & music

Your guide to wedding bands, DJs and music. Find the perfects tunes for every moment of your wedding from entrance songs to the last-dance. Whether you hire a live band or have a family member DJ, we help you get everything in order to dance the night away!

How to Choose Your Wedding DJ

300 Best Wedding Songs for Each Moment of your Wedding Day

Find even more wedding ideas, inspo, tips, and tricks

Getting engaged

Wedding planning 101

Wedding trends

Venues & vendors

Invites & paper

Registry & gifts

Parties & events

Fashion & beauty

Honeymoons

Relationship advice

News & culture

Zola behind the scenes

Plan your wedding

About

Advice and support